HISTORY 


-OF- 


THE  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Coin  mil  tec  who  have  had  cliarge  of  the  compilation  of  the  history  of  the  i8/// 
Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteers,  apologising  for  seeming  unnecessary  delay  attending 
its  publication,  deem  it  only  just  to  ourselves  to  explain  that  the  amount  of  labor  and  the 
difficulties  involved  in  such  an  undertaking  were  greatly  underestimated  by  them.  7 'he 
task  of  gathering  tJie  material,  liistoncal  data,  personal  incidents,  etc.,  and  bringing  it 
into  proper  shape  was  begun  early  in  1884,  and  it  was  expected  that  the  volume  would  be 
in  print  in  A  ugust  of  tJie  same  rear  ;  but  as  the  work  progressed  unforeseen  obstacles  mul 
tiplied  at  almost  every  stage.  Frequently  it  has  been  perplexing  to  discover  the  truth 
among  con  flicting  statements,  and  to  correct  inaccuracies  in  names,  dates,  etc.,  wJiile  in  a 
verv  great  measure  the  Jiistorv  has  been  delaved  by  procrastination  on  the  part  of  contrib 
utors. 

In  conclusion,  we  desire  to  thank  tlic  members  and  friends  of  the  Regiment  for  their 
cooperation  in  perfecting  this  Memorial  ;  for  their  patience  displayed  in  awaiting  its  com 
pletion-,  and  for  the  con  fidence  tJiey  have  reposed  in  (lie  Committee — a  confidence  that  we 

trust  was  not  misplaced. 

IV.  C.   WALKER,          1 

:  :  '.'.'•  ''•  '.'     '-.  / ':'       /A  J/-  vuRwy* 

CEO.  C.  SETCHEL,       \Commillee. 
{   '   ,".    ',       '•'••{  ''/>•]   '•'•'•   '•     '.J-AMESMCK'EE, 

'    //"/)/.  CARUTIIERS,    } 


NORWICH,  CONN.: 
PUBLISHED   BY    THE   COMMITTEE. 

1885. 


HISTORY 


-OF- 


THE  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CONN.    VOLUNTEERS 


-IN- 


THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION 


CHAPLAIN  'J\A/M.  C.'WALKER 


NORWICH,  CONN.: 

PUBLISHED   BY    THE   COMMITTEE. 
1885. 


\/V3 


PRINTED   BY   GORDON   \VILCOX. 


TO   THE   MEMORY    OF   THE 

EIGHTEENTH  CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS, 

LIVING    AND    FALLEN, 

WHO    SERVED    IN    THE    WAR   FOR   THE    UNION, 
THIS    VOLUME    IS    DEDICATED. 


M123916 


PREFACE. 


The  war  tor  the  Union  developed  as  noble  a  band  of  patriots  as  the  world  has 
ever  seen;  men  who  counted  not  their  lives  dear  in  the  cause  of  their  country's 
honor  and  safety.  Connecticut  contributed  her  full  share  of  soldiers,  and  both 
they  and  their  State  may  accept  as  strictly  true  and  just  the  complimentary  dec 
laration  by  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter:  "I  have  seen  none  better  or  braver  soldiers  in  the 
field." 

The  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers  take  a  high  rank  on  the  "roll  ot 
honor,"  its  record  having  been  one  in  which  its  veterans  may  ever  cherish  a  laud 
able  pride,  and  of  which  uone  of  their  sons  need  ever  be  ashamed.  Gen.  Milroy, 
under  whom  this  regiment  fought  its  first  battle  at  Winchester,  Va.,  said  in  an 
address  to  them  a  tew  months  later:  "Boys,  I  have  seen  you  stand  where  brave 
men  only  could  stand."  Again,  after  the  battle  of  Piedmont,  where  our  arms 
obtained  a  glorious  victory,  Gen.  Sullivan  recognized  their  achievements  in  the 
flattering  comment:  "Boys,  your  valor  has  saved  the  day." 

Surgeon  C.  E.  Goldsborough,  of  the  Fifth  Maryland  Regiment,  who  witnessed 
the  battle  at  Winchester,  writes:  "I  always  admired  the  gallantry  of  the  Eight 
eenth  Connecticut  Volunteers  in  that  their  first  tight.  They  stood  like  veterans. 
Brave  men  weie  they." 

It  is  to  transmit  to  posterity  this  glorious  record  of  heroic  services  freely 
given  to  their  country,  that  these  pages  have  been  vvritten.  As  early  as  July, 
1868,  while  the  events  ot  the  war  were  still  fresh  in  remembrance,  the  author  be 
gan  to  collect  material  from  a  variety  of  sources,  supplementary  to  his  own  diary 
and  memorv,  with  the  view  of  compiling  as  complete  a  history  as  possible  of  his 
regiment.  A  series  of  sketches  prepared  by  himself  were  contributed  to  the 
Soldier's  Record  and  continued  in  that  publication  for  nearly  four  years,  thus 
giving  ample  time  for  any  criticisms  and  additions  that  might  be  suggested  by 
others  as  necessary  for  the  perfection  of  the  work  in  the  hands  of  a  future 
historian.  The  author  had  no  intention  at  the  time  of  having  these  random 
articles  published  in  book  form;  his  only  purpose  being  to  furnish  material  for  a 
history  to  be  written  by  an  abler  hand.  For  several  years  the  matter  of  publica 
tion  had  been  discussed  at  the  various  reunions,  until  finally  a  committee  was 
appointed,  as  noted  elsewhere,  to  take  measures  for  the  attainment  of  this  object. 


After  due  consideration  it  was  decided  to  accept  as  the  substance  of  the  pro- 
posed  work  the  author's  narrative  as  originally  published;  but  revised  and 
corrected  as  the  facts  demanded.  Necessarily  the  work  has  progressed  slowly, 
as  it  has  been  done  with  the  utmost  care,  and  great  credit  is  due  the  committee 
for  their  patient  toil  and  perseverance  to  make  the  history  as  complete  as  possible 
as  to  facts,  names  and  dates.  This  task  has  been  a  laborious  one,  attended  with 
many  and  even  with  some  unexpected  difficulties,  as  it  was  found  that  even  the 
adjutant  general's  reports  were  not  wholly  reliable,  and  thus  much  labor  and 
investigation  was  required  to  secure  accuracy  of  statement.  After  all,  we  fear 
that  the  work  is  far  from  perfect;  mistakes  will  undoubtedly  appear.  If,  however, 
it  is  found  that  some  names  are  omitted  of  which  honorable  mentioned  should 
have  been  made,  or  some  prominent  fact  withheld  that  was  especially  creditable 
to  those  interested  and  deserving,  no  one  will  more  deeply  regret  such  a  defect 
than  the  committee  themselves.  To  have  noted  all  the  praise-worthy  acts  done 
by  this  regiment,  individually  and  collectively,  would  have  been  an  impossibility. 
"With  charity  for  all  and  malice  toward  none,"  the  work  is  now  submitted 
to  the  favorable  regards  of  worthy  comrades  who  served  and  suffered  in  a  just 
and  holy  cause. 

In  order  that  this  narrative  might  be  as  attractive  and  readable  as  possible, 
the  assistance  of  a  practical  editor  was  secured  in  Mr.  John  F.  Rath  bone, 
who  has  carefully  perused  every  page  and  given  much  time  to  the  perfection 
and  completion  of  this  regimental  story.  Man  y  thanks  are  due  this  gentleman 
for  his  very  faithful  and  acceptable  services.  In  order  to  suitably  embellish 
the  work  an  effort  has  been  made  to  obtain  a  photograph  of  each  officer,  and 
it  i,<  a  mutter  of  sincere  regret  that  this  was  impossible.  Those  which  have  been 
obtained  are  believed  to  be  fair  likenesses  of  the  originals,  either  in  the  past  or  at 
present.  Would  that  the  face  of  each  one  of  the  noble  men  who  fought  in  the 
ranks  could  be  thus  preserved  as  well. 

"Brave  boys  were  they 

Their  country's  cause  defending." 

In  conclusion,  if  this  memorial  shall  in  any  way  tend  to  perpetuate  in  remem 
brance  the  brave  deeds  of  the  Eighteenth  Regiment,  to  add  lustre  to  individ 
ual  achievement,  or  stimulate  by  their  example  the  fire  of  patriotism  in  the 
hearts  of  those  who  may  hereafter  turn  its  pages,  the  result  will  amply  fulfill  the 
expectation  and  purpose  of  the  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT i 

Stirring  scenes;  Patriotic  feeling  in  Norwich;  Mass  meeting;  Organization 
of  the  regiment;  Camp  Aiken. 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE   DEPARTURE 24 

Departure  of  the  Eighteenth  for  the  South;  Affecting  incidents  at  the  leave- 
taking;  Arrival  in  New  York  City;  At  Fort  McHenry,  Md, ;  Division  of  the 
regiment;  Skirmishes  and  forays. 

CHAPTER  III. 

MARCH  TO  THE  FRONT — BATTLE   OF   WINCHESTER 90 

In  the  Shenandoah  Valley;  Picturesque  scenery  at  Harper's  Ferry;  At  Win 
chester,  Va.;  Under  Milroy;  Advance  of  Lee's  army  halted;  Milroy  proposes  to 
fight  him,  and  makes  it  red  hot;  The  Stonewall  Brigade  repulsed;  Severe  fight 
ing;  Desperate  charge  of  Companies  H  and  F;  prisoners  captured;  Caruthers 
severely  wounded. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  BATTLE  ON  MONDAY,  AND    CAPTURE 114 

The  Eighteenth,  and  Fifth  Maryland  try  to  cut  their  way  out;  Three  desperate 
charges  with  great  loss:  Death  of  Capt.  Porter;  Escape  of  Milroy  and  staff;  The 
surrender  after  three  days'  hard  fighting;  Gen.  Walker  returns  Col.  Ely's 
sword;  The  journey  to  Richmond;  Escape  of  Maj.  Peale  and  a  detachment. 

CHAPTER   V. 

ON  BELLE  ISLAND 131 

Prisoners  of  war  at  Belle  Island;  Scanty  fare;  Three  hundred  men  transferred 
to  Libby;  Two  squads  paroled. 


CttAPTEk  VI. 

THE  ESCAPE  FROM  WINCHESTER J42 

Experiences  of  the  detachment  that  escaped  at  Winchester;  Terrible  suffering 
in  the  mountains;  Evading  the  rebels;  The  fugitives  reach  the  Union  lines. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

THE  OFFICERS  AT  LIBBY 161 

Libby  Prison;  A  starvation  bill  of  fare;  The  famous  ''tunnel;"  Col.  Ely  es 
capes,  but  is  captured  again;  Humorous,  ludicrous  and  pathetic  incidents  in  pris 
on-Hie;  Camp  parole. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  REGIMENT  REUNITED 1 73 

The  regiment  reunited  at  Martinsburg;  Routine  duty;  The  sutler  receives  a 
scare;  Thanksgiving  Day  in  camp;  Tidings  from  Libby;  A  "revival"  at  Martins- 
burg. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

GOING  HOME  TO  VOTE 19^ 

Going  home  to  vote;  ''Hurrah  for  Governor  Buckingham!"  The  journey  North 
and  return;  On  to  Richmond. 

CHAPTER    X. 

ON  TO  RICHMOND 212 

Six  thousand  men  under  Sigel;  The  advance  up  the  valley;  The  old  battle-field 
at  Winchester;  The  march  to  Strasburg;  Advance  of  the  regiment  with  a  battery 
to  Edinburg;  Forced  march  to  Newmaiket;  No  breakfast;  Rain;  Mud  knee 
deep;  The  battle;  Warmly  engaged  with  the  enemy;  Death  of  Capt.  Spaulding; 
somebody  blunders;  Retreat  to  Cedar  Creek. 

CHAPTER  XL 

HUNTER'S  RAID — BATTLE  OF   PIEDMONT 227 

Gen.  Hunter  takes  command;  The  advance  to  Newmarket;  The  old  battle 
field;  Visit  the  wounded;  Serenaded  by  band  of  Thirty- Fourth  Massachusetts 
Regiment;  Leave  Newmarket;  Heavy  skirmishing  at  Harrisonburg;  Rebels  fall 
back;  Still  on  towards  Port  Republic;  Rebel  foraging  party  captured;  A  caval 
ryman  drowned;  Battle  at  Piedmont;  The  Eighteenth  on  the  riaht;  Severe 
fighting;  A  brilliant  charge;  Death  of  Lieut.  Maginnis  and  Adjutant  Culver; 
Rebels  defeated  with  great  loss;  After  the  battle;  Col.  Ely's  report;  The  regi 
ment  cheered  by  Gen.  Sullivan  and  staff  and  complimented  by  Gen.  Hunter; 
Marching  on;  Staunton  taken;  Railroads  torn  up  and  depot  and  warehouses  de 
stroyed;  Crook  joins  Hunter. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

ON  TO    LYNCHBURG 248 

Lexington  occupied  after  severe  skirmishing;  Governor  Letcher's  house  and 
military  institute  burned;  The  home  and  grave  of  Stonewall  Jackson;  A  rest; 
Hot  weather  and  aweary  march  to  Buchanan;  The  natural  bridge;  James  River 
canal  torn  up  and  boats  destroyed;  Bridge  burned;  Mountain  scenery;  The 
peaks  of  Otter;  Occupy  Liberty;  Bending  rails  of  Tennessee  and  Lynchburg 
Railroad;  Destruction  of  bridges,  etc.;  Still  in  pursuit;  Battle  at  New  London; 
Rebels  defeated  with  great  loss;  Lynchburg  reached;  Rebels  reinforced  by 
Longstreet  and  Hill's  corps;  The  battle;  Col.  Ely  wounded;  Hunter  decides  to 
get  out  under  cover  of  night;  The  Eighteenth  cover  the  retreat;  No  choice  left 
but  by  way  of  Kanawha;  Lack  of  ammunition  to  give  battle. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  RETREAT  FROM  LYNCHBURG 261 

Rebel  pursuit;  Attack  on  our  rear  handsomely  repulsed;  The  work  of  destruc 
tion  still  goes  on;  Virginia  and  Tennessee  Railroad  bridges  light  up  the  country; 
reach  Salem;  The  rebels  capture  and  destroy  a  battery;  Hard  times  in  the  moun 
tains;  At  White  Sulphur  Springs;  Suffering  for  want  of  food;  Long  and  weary 
marches,  and  hot  weather;  Sad  sights;  Ragged  and  barefoot;  Mules  and  horses 
die  of  starvation;  Pluck  and  courage  among  the  men;  Meadow  Bluffs;  Dangers 
of  the  raid  and  famine  passed;  Supply  train  in  sight;  Great  rejoicing;  Hawk's 
Nest  and  Lover's  Leap;  Arrive  at  Gauley  Bridge;  The  march  to  camp  Piatt;  On 
the  Ohio  River;  Incidents  of  the  trip  to  Parkersburg,  Va.;  Off  for  Cumberland, 
and  at  Back  Creek;  After  Early;  The  march  to  Martinsburg  and  Harper's 
Ferry;  Ford  the  Potomac  at.  Berlin;  London  Valley;  On  track  of  Early;  Bat 
tle  of  Snicker's  Ford;  A  blunder;  Still  pursuing;  The  Sixth  Corps  leave  us;  Our 
second  battle  of  Winchester,  Va.;  A  gallant  defense;  Ten  to  one  again;  A  stub 
born  retreat,  and  fatal  effects  of  the  heat;  In  Maryland;  At  Monocacy. 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

GEN.  SHERIDAN   IN    COMMAND 299 

The  march  to  Harper's  Ferry;  Advance  to  Halltown  and  Berry ville;  Severe 
skirmishing  with  Early;  He  is  driven  to  Cedar  Ceeek;  Contesting  our  advance; 
Hard  fighting;  Little  Phil,  turns  back;  Early  follows;  At  Halltown;  Crook 
orders  the  Third  Brigade  in;  Rebels  driven  back  with  great  loss  and  learn  to 
keep  at  a  distance;  Lively  times  and  continuous  fighting;  At  Charlestown;  Pay 
day,  but  what  shall  we  do  with  the  money;  Forward,  Crook,  is  Sheridan's  order; 
Battle  at  Berryville;  Fierce  artillery  fire;  A  gallant  charge  with  desperate  fighting 
during  which  the  rebels  are  driven  back;  Rainy  night;  In  charge  of  wagon  train: 


Grant  uneasy;  Permission  to  little  Phil,  to  go  in:  Col.  Ely  returns  home;  The 
battle  of  Winchester,  and  Early  routed  with  great  loss;  The  regiment  at  Charles- 
town  used  up;  Ordered  to  Martinsburg;  Going  home  to  vote  for  Honest  Abe; 
Return  to  the  valley. 

CHAPTER    XV. 

WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  HALLTOWN 318 

In  winter  quarters  at  Halltown;  Strength  of  the  regiment;  Cold  snaps  and 
sleighing  parties;  Lively  times  on  picket;  Preparing  for  the  spring  campaign. 

CHAPTER   XVI. 

THE  CLOSING   SCENES — DEPARTURE  FOR    HOME 338 

The  surrender  of  Lee,  and  closing  scenes  in  the  Rebellion;  Last  camp  at 
Martinsburg;  Sergeant  Staubly  captures  a  prize;  Camp  frolics;  Departure  of 
the  regiment  for  the  North;  Reception  at  Hartford. 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

PRISON   LIFE 362 

Record  of  prison  life  in  the  South,  including  special  descriptions  of  the  hor 
rors  of  Andersonville  and  Libby;  Narratives  by  prisoners. 


CHAPTER  I. 


ORGANIZATION     OF    THE    REGIMENT. 


The  late  civil  war  has  been  called  a  continuation  of  the  "irre 
pressible  conflict;"  it  was  rather  the  tremendous  issue  of  that  con 
flict,  the  inevitable  explosion  of  the  storm  that  half  a  century  of 
contention  between  irreconcilable  principles  had  engendered. 
The  grand  uprising  of  the  North  was  in  defense  of  the  principle,  vi 
tal  and  fundamental,  of  this  republic,  that  "all  men  are  created  free 
and  equal,  and  alike  entitled  to  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of 
happiness."  The  antagonists  of  this  imperishable  democratic 
idea,  as  embodied  in  the  preamble  to  the  Constitution,  finding 
themselves  thwarted  in  every  attempt  in  their  scheme  of  aristo 
cratic  usurpation,  and  maddened  by  the  apparent  futility  of  fur 
ther  effort  in  the  line  of  political  chicanery  and  peaceful  coercion, 
determined  on  an  appeal  to  the  sword.  The  long  desperate  strug 
gle  of  the  Rebellion,  the  most  momentous  civil  war  in  history,  was 
the  result.  More  than  two  millions  of  men  were  suddenly  called 
from  their  peaceful  avocations  to  contend  on  the  battle-field  for 
and  against  the  principle  of  constitutional  liberty  and  human 
progress.  To  have  lived  in  such  a  time,  participated  in  such  a 
conflict,  and  survived,  is  to  have  achieved  the  most  glorious  re 
ward  of  a  noble  ambition. 

The  soldiers  of  Connecticut,  who  rallied  to  the  support  of  the 
national  banner  when  it  was  assailed  by  the  cohorts  of  oppres 
sion  and  rebellion,  may  well  feel  proud  of  their  record,  and  be 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


'grateful  that  they  shared  the  privilege  of  fighting  to  uphold  and 
.:  perpetuate  the  free  institution  of  their  nation,  or  adopted  country; 
"while  fHe"  graves  of  fallen   heroes,  honored  or  unknown,  shall  re 
ceive  the  crowns  of  flowers  from  the  hands  of  comrades  who  sur 
vived  them.   And  in  the  years  to  come,  the  memory  of  the  patriot 
soldiers  shall  be  twined  with  the  flowers  of  loyal  and  tender  recol 
lection  and  provoke  the  tribute  of  grateful  homage. 

In  the  great  struggle  our  State  had,  in  all,  fifty-four  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  eighty-two  men.  The  first  and  second  calls 
of  President  Lincoln  for  troops  were  responded  to  by  about  four 
teen  thousand  men;  while  the  third  call,  in  July,  1862,  brought 
forth  more  than  seven  thousand  three  years'  men,  and  about  an 
equal  number  of  volunteers  for  nine  months. 

Of  the  former  class  was  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  of  infantry. 
It  was  on  July  3d  that  Governor  Buckingham  issued  a  call 
for  six  regiments  of  three  years'  men.  His  proclamation  was  as 
follows: 

"Citizens  of  Connecticut!  You  are  again  called  upon  to  rally 
to  the  support  of  the  government.  In  the  name  of  our  com 
mon  country  I  call  upon  you  to  enroll  your  names  for  the  im 
mediate  formation  of  six  or  more  regiments  of  infantry  to  be  used 
in  suppressing  the  Rebellion.  Our  troops  may  be  held  in  check, 
and  our  sons  die  on  the  battle-field,  but  the  cause  of  civil  liberty 
must  be  advanced;  the  supremacy  of  the  government  must  be 
maintained.  Prompt  and  decisive  action  will  be  economy  in  men 
and  money.  By  our  delay  the  safety  of  our  armies,  even  of  the 
nation,  may  be  imperiled.  The  Rebellion,  contending  with  the 
desperation  of  a  hopeless  and  wicked  cause,  must  be  met  with 
energy.  Close  your  manufactories,  and  work-shops,  turn  aside 
from  your  farms  and  your  business,  leave  for  awhile  your  families 
and  your  houses;  meet  face  to  face  the  enemies  of  your  liberties. 
Haste,  and  you  will  rescue  many  noble  men  now  struggling 
against  superior  numbers,  and  speedily  rescue  the  blessings  of 
peace  and  good  government." 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


Previous  to  this  time  the  recruiting  business  had  dragged 
heavily.  The  first  and  second  uprisings  of  the  people  had  nearly 
spent  their  power,  and  the  results  had  disappointed  general  ex 
pectation.  The  people  had  been  waiting  for  some  decisive  vic 
torious  movement  which  should  annihilate  the  armies  of  the  Re 
bellion,  and  bring  hostilities  to  a  speedy  and  triumphant  close. 
But  the  nation  was  now  fast  awakening  to  the  gigantic  nature  of 
the  struggle.  The  soldiers'  illusion  that  the  war  was  to  be 
merely  a  holiday  jaunt  had  dissolved  and  the  hard  cruel  lines  of 
the  stern  reality  stared  forth.  The  question  of  enlisting  had  be 
come  a  grave  and  portentous  one  to  every  citizen.  The  novelty 
of  war  was  over.  Moreover,  the  business  prospects  of  the  North 
were  every  day  brightening,  work  was  plenty,  and  there  seemed 
to  be  no  unemployed  multitude  from  which  to  recruit  our  armies. 
The  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  Regiments  had  been  a  long  time  form 
ing  and  had  just  left  for  the  front;  while  the  Fourteenth,  which 
had  been  a  month  or  more  in  camp,  had  but  two  or  three  hun 
dred  men  in  the  ranks.  Hence  the  late  call  for  six  additional 
regiments  could  not  have  come  at  a  more  unpropitious  time. 
But  something  must  be  done  to  give  a  fresh  impetus  to  the  re 
cruiting  service.  Regiments  previously  raised  had  been  en 
camped  either  in  Hartford  or  New  Haven.  Governor  Bucking 
ham,  who  was  fruitful  in  lawful  expedients  to  arouse  the  loyal 
people  to  meet  the  emergencies,  ordered  the  new  regiments  to 
go  into  camp  at  different  points:  the  Fifteenth  at  New  Haven, 
the  Sixteenth  at  Hartford,  the  Seventeenth  at  Bridgeport,  and 
there  was  at  once  increased  activity  for  an  advance.  On  the 
28th  day  of  July  the  Governor  issued  an  order  for  the  Fight- 
eenth  Regiment  to  go  into  camp  on  the  New  London  County 
Fair  Grounds  at  Norwich.  The  order  was  an  appeal  to  local 
patriotism,  and  fired  the  citizens  with  noble  zeal  to  hasten  to  the 
rescue  of  their  brothers  in  the  South  who  were  struggling  against 
superior  numbers. 

"Camp  Aiken"   was  established  and  the  tents  pitched  on  Mon- 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


day,  August  4th,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  Capt. 
Hakes,  (Company  E)  with  one  hundred  and  ten  men,  marched 
thither,  being  the  first  company  on  the  grounds.  On  Tuesday, 
Company  A,  Capt.  H.  C.  Davis,  followed  with  one  hundred  and 
four  men.  Six  companies  were  in  camp  on  Saturday,  August 
9th,  three  others  followed  on  Monday,  and  the  last  one  on  Tues 
day.  Just  nineteen  days  after  Governor  Buckingham  had  issued 
his  order  more  than  one  thousand  men  had  been  enlisted  and 
were  in  camp  ready  for  military  drill  and  discipline.  This  state 
ment  seems  almost  incredible,  and  it  reflects  great  credit  upon 
the  people  of  Eastern  Connecticut.  New  London  and  Wind- 
ham  Counties  were  thoroughly  aroused.  The  greatest  excite 
ment  and  enthusiasm  everywhere  prevailed.  Public  meetings, 
to  encourage  enlistment,  were  held  in  all  the  principal  towns  and 
villages,  and  the  cry  rang  throughout  the  country  side:  ''Brave 
men  to  the  front!  Let  us  rescue  our  brethren  and  save  our  im 
periled  liberties!  The  country  needs  the  services  of  every  able- 
bodied  citizen.  Let  no  ordinary  excuse  detain  you.  Nothing 
but  the  certificate  of  the  examining  surgeon  should  exempt  any 
man  from  the  duties  of  patriotism."  This  stirring  patriotic  ap 
peal  kindled  intense  excitement  among  all  classes  everywhere. 
At  no  time  since  Sumter  was  fired  on  had  the  people  become 
so  enthusiastic  in  filling  up  the  national  army,  fathers  and  sons 
hastened  to  meet  the  fresh  demand  for  soldiers.  The  outburst 
of  popular  feeling  would  be  a  record  for  future  generatious  to 
read  with  deepest  interest  and  admiration  could  the  name  of 
every  hero  be  given,  and  his  patriotic  utterance  be  recorded.  It 
was  astonishing  how  speedily  the  different  companies  obtained 
their  full  quota  of  men,  and  with  what  enthusiasm  they  marched 
into  camp  by  companies  and  in  squads. 

The  historian  has  not  far  to  search  in  assigning  a  sufficient 
reason  for  the  great  popular  demonstration  we  have  recorded. 
It  may  be  found  in  the  people's  ardent  love  tor  their  country, 
and  high  appreciation  of  those  civil,  educational  and  religious 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


principles  bequeathed  to  them  by  their  patriotic  ancestors.  It 
was  sorrowfully  evident  to  them  that  the  success  cf  the  Rebellion 
would  be  the  destruction  of  all  they  held  dear  and  valuable;  and 
after  the  terrible  disaster  of  Bull  Run  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Eastern  Connecticut  was  heard  to  say:  "If  our  government  is 
crushed  by  this  Rebellion,  let  me  be  buried  beneath  its  ruins." 
And  his  expression  seemed  to  embody  the  universal  sentiment 
that  inspired  the  people  a  year  later  when  the  government  was 
again  in  imminent  peril  by  the  advance  of  a  desperate  and  malig 
nant  foe. 

With  a  single  voice  the  people  cried:  "  Let  us  rally  round  our 
standard  bearer!  Our  country's  honor  must  be  maintained,  and 
our  flag,  which  has  been  trampled  in  the  dust,  must  wave  again 
over  all  the  land,  or  let  us  perish  in  the  attempt." 

It  was  such  noble  sentiment  as  this  that  inspired  parents  to 
give  their  sons,  and  wives  their  husbands  to  the  perils  and  hard 
ships  of  war.  This  patriotic  feeling  took  the  form  at  all  public 
gatherings  of  earnest  appeals  for  the  encouragement  and  active 
personal  promotion  of  enlistment.  Thus  was  it  strikingly  mani 
fested  at  a  mass  meeting  held  on  Franklin  Square,  Norwich,  at 
which  Hon.  John  T.  Wait  presided.  The  crowd  at  the  square 
was  immense.  Long  before  the  time  announced  for  opening  the 
meeting  thousands  of  citizens  and  strangers  thronged  the  streets, 
tilled  the  window  seats,  and  crowded  the  roofs  in  the  neighbor 
hood.  At  a  quarter  past  one  the  Greeneville  Company,  Capt. 
Henry  C.  Davis,  headed  by  drum  and  fife,  marched  into  the 
square,  followed  shortly  after  by  a  delegation  from  Norwich 
Falls,  also  accompanied  with  martial  music.  Both  were  received 
with  hearty  cheers  by  the  multitude.  Mr.  Wait,  upon  taking 
the  chair,  expressed  his  appreciation  of  the  honor  conferred  upon 
him  in  electing  him  to  preside  over  so  vast  an  assemblage  of  the 
citizens  of  New  London  County  convened  to  raise  men  to  assist 
in  preventing  the  disruption  of  the  Union,  and  the  destruction  of 
the  Constitution.  The  question  is  to  be  decided  in  the  next  six 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


months,  and  perhaps  in  the  next  sixty  days,  whether  the  Union 
shall  be  preserved  and  the  supremacy  of  the  laws  maintained,  or 
whether  we  shall  have  in  place  of  its  blessings  a  reign  of  lawless 
ness,  anarchy  and  misrule.  As  our  fathers  pledged  their  lives, 
their  fortunes  and  their  sacred  honor  in  defense  of  the  solemn 
compact  of  our  liberties,  so  let  us  now  pledge  our  lives,  devote 
our  fortunes,  and  solemnly  swear  that  we  will  give  all  our  ener 
gies  and  our  means  to  the  suppression  of  the  most  causeless, 
unnatural  and  accursed  Rebellion  that  ever  threatened  the  exist 
ence  of  a  nation.  The  President  of  the  United  States  has  made 
his  appeal  to  the  country  for  three  hundred  thousand  additional 
volunteers.  In  this  connection  Connecticut  is  most  urgently 
invoked  to  do  as  she  did  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle:  pour 
forth  her  treasure  and  the  blood  of  her  sons  to  sustain  the  gov 
ernment  established  eighty  years  ago.  Our  young  men  in  the 
field  call  on  us  for  assistance,  that  the  war  may  be  speedily  con 
cluded,  and  they  allowed  to  return  to  their  homes  with  the  bless 
ings  of  peace  re-established  over  them.  We  can  respond  to  this 
call,  and  if  we  do  our  duty,  with  our  numerical  superiority  and 
great  pecuniary  resources  we  shall  soon  end  the  war.  In  con 
cluding,  he  expressed  the  hope  that  his  native  State  would  not  be 
laggard  in  responding  to  the  call  of  the  country.  Let  us  but  do 
our  duty  and  we  shall  soon  see  the  glorious  emblem  of  our  na 
tional  freedom  floating  as  freely  in  ever)  city  in  the  South  as  it 
now  does  from  every  hill-top  in  the  North. 

The  chairman  then  introduced  Rev.  Mr.  On  inn.  The  rever 
end  gentleman  said  that  he  gloried  in  that  he  was  a  citizen  of 
American  birth.  He  was  a  Catholic  clergyman  and  he  gloried 
in  that  also.  He  referred  briefly  to  the  history  of  the  American 
nation.  1-or  seventy  years  we  had  been  rapidly  increasing  in 
wealth.  Our  commerce  and  agriculture  had  increased  till  our 
mountains  and  villages  resounded  with  the  hum  of  labor,  and  our 
ships  whitened  every  sea.  But  Rebellion,  foul,  sanguinary  Rebel 
lion  had  raised  its  head,  had  endeavored  to  overthrow  the  gov- 


CON  NEC  TICUT  VOL  UNTEERS. 


ernment  and  destroy  that  commerce  and  agriculture.  There  was 
not  sufficient  time  to  enter  into  a  discussion  of  the  causes  of  the 
war.  The  principal  cause  appeared  to  be  the  inordinate  pride  of 
the  South — the  intense  aristocratic  feeling  which  pervaded  that 
portion  of  the  country.  They  would  not  live  with  us  of  the 
North  for  we  were  mud-sills  and  greasy  mechanics.  Now,  said 
the  speaker,  I  would  rather  earn  my  bread  every  day  by  a  greasy 
machine  than  by  the  sweat  of  a  greasy  nigger.  |  Applause; 
"That's  so."  |  But  if  they  boast  of  their  aristocracy,  we  are  the 
representatives  of  the  respectability  of  the  country.  We  have 
the 'education,  the  free  press,  and  all  the  stays  that  make  up  the 
respectability  of  the  nation.  Hut  to  come  to  the  practical  matter; 
why  are  we  here  to-day?  The  object  of  this  meeting  is  to  induce 
men  to  shoulder  the  musket.  He  would  make  no  personal  dis 
tinction.  The  crisis  demands  every  man,  from  the  richest  to  the 
poorest.  Let  the  millionaire  lead  off,  and  the  poor  and  strong 
will  not  be  behind  them.  The  speaker  said  that  he  was  de 
scended  from  one  of  the  Limerick  women  who  stood  in  the 
breaches  when  the  men  fell  back,  and  drove  the  British  invaders 
from  the  city.  The  rebels  call  us  Yankees.  Well,  the  British 
called  us  Yankees  when  we  whipped  them  in  the  Revolution,  and 
swept  them  from  the  seas  in  1812.  Washington  compelled 
Cornwallis  to  surrender  his  sword  at  Yorktown  to  the  tune  of 
"Yankee  Doodle,"  and  McClellan  compelled  them  to  run  from 
the  same  place  to  the  same  tune.  Now  give  us  more  men  and 
we  will  compel  them  to  flee  from  Richmond  to  the  same  strain. 
[Great  applause.] 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  gentleman's  remarks  the  chairman 
called  for  three  cheers  for  the  man  who  had  stood  so  nobly  by 
our  brave  boys  in  the  field.  They  were  given  with  a  will. 

The  chairman  then  announced  that  fourteen  young  men  from 
Greeneville,  a  part  of  a  company  being  raised  there,  now  number 
ing  about  fifty,  would  sing  a  patriotic  song  written  for  the  occa 
sion.  The  song  was  received  with  hearty  applause. 


8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Mr.  Richard  Busteed,  a  New  York  Democrat,  was  the  next 
speaker.  He  said  if  he  understood  the  meaning  of  the  great 
gathering  before  him,  it  was  that  the  time  had  come  to  lay  aside 
party  distinctions  and  differences  in  a  joint  effort  to  save  our  com 
mon  country.  He  did  not  understand  that  G'overnor  Bucking 
ham  was  here  as  a  Republican,  nor  was  he  here  as  a  Democrat. 
We  are  here  with  one  purpose,  and  resolved  upon  one  end:  to 
encourage  loyalty  and  rebuke  treason.  H'e  was  from  his  infan 
cy  until  the  i  ith  day  of  May,  1861,  a  Democrat  of  the  straightest 
sect,  neither  seeing  or  looking  for  any  good  outside  of  that  party. 
On  that  day  the  shackles  of  party  were  torn  from  his  limbs  by 
the  high  priests  themselves.  The  booming  of  treason's  gun  on 
that  day  awakened  him  from  a  political  sleep  to  the  life  of  an  un 
questioning  patriotism.  Oh  that  day,  and  until  the  war  was 
concluded  by  the  re-establishment  of  the  national  authority  over 
every  acre  of  our  territory,  he  ceased  to  be  knowrn  by  any  other 
designation  than  that  of  an  Irish-born  loyal  American  citizen; 
bound  not  more  by  his  interests  than  by  his  oath  and  his  honor 
to  defend  his  country  from  foreign  and  domestic  foes. 

When  this  war  is  over  he  would  discuss  with  the  most  jealous 
partisan  every  measure  of  government,  past,  present  or  to  come, 
but  now  he  would  argue  no  question  of  mere  expediency  or  poli 
tics.  We  are  to-day  acting  the  grandest  drama  of  real  life.  We 
stand  upon  the  threshold  of  momentous  events,  and  touch  the 
garment  of  occurrences  which  are  to  shape  the  future  condition 
of  a  continent. 

Wrhat  our  duty  is  in  the  premises  is  to  preserve  the  Union  to 
hand  down  with  all  its  blessings  to  our  posterity.  When  the 
great  North,  the  wise  East  and  the  brave  West  get  ready  for  in 
glorious  national  oblivion  the  vain,  supercilious  and  barbaric 
South  may  play  the  hand  of  empire  alone;  'but  till  then  her 
boasted  chivalry  will  be  made  to  march  and  keep  step  to  the 
music  of  an  undivided  Union.  He  was  not  an  Abolitionist,  or  a 
black  Republican,  but  simply  a  patriot.  If  your  home  is  on  fire, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


and  you  have  a  bucket  of  water  handy  to  extinguish  it,  you  would 
not  he  likely  to  disclaim  using  it  because  the  color  of  the  bucket 
was  unpleasant  to  you.  It  is  our  duty  to  use  the  negroes  in 
every  possible  way,  and  to  put  a  musket  into  the  hands  of  every 
one  who  can  bear  one.  He  was  sick  of  this  squeamishness  about 
negroes.  If  the  views  he  expressed  were  Abolitionist,  then 
George  Washington  was  an  Abolitionist,  for  he  did  not  refuse  or 
neglect  to  use  negro  soldiers.  If  this  was  Abolitionism  he  was 
willing  to  be  counted  in.  The  question  is,  and  the  only  ques 
tion:  Will  you  subjugate  the  South,  or  be  subdued  yourselves? 
This  is  the  question  we  are  trying  to  solve.  He  was  tired  of 
this  everlasting  talk  about  conservatism.  He  believed  that  in  the 
influx  of  this  conservation  there  was  more  danger  to  the  country 
than  in  anya  [other  one  thing.  In  closing,  the  speaker  said  that 
whatever  else  is  uncertain,  one  thing  is  clear  and  settled  beyond 
peradventure,  the  pen  never  will  write  down  the  destruction  of 
this  government. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks  the  crowd  gave  him  nine 
enthusiastic  cheers. 

Senator  Foster  spoke  next.  He  said  he  was  cheered  and  en 
couraged  by  the  large  audience.  Before  he  left  Washington  the 
govern ment  was  anticipating  the  necessity  of  a  draft.  But  the 
large  gathering  of  to-day  speaks  a  different  language.  At  this 
time,  speeches,  processions  and  meetings  alone  will  not  save  the 
country.  It  can  only  be  saved  when  men  will  lay  aside  their 
peaceful  pursuits  and  shoulder  the  musket.  We  need  earnest, 
mighty  effort  in  order  to  succeed.  We  must  make  sacrifices- 
parents  must  give  up  their  sons,  and  wives  must  let  their  hus 
bands  go.  We  need  only  one  regiment  from  this  congressional 
district  to  make  up  the  quota  of  Connecticut.  The  way  to  fill  it 
up  is  for  every  man  to  put  down  his  foot  and  say,  1<I  will  go  my 
self."  The  government  is  afraid  the  people  are  asleep,  and  the 
people  seem  to  think  that  the  government  is  asleep.  The  best 
way  for  us  to  wake  them  up  is  by  the  tramp  of  our  regiments 


TO  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


marching  into  Washington.  The  speaker  closed  with  a  spirited 
appeal  to  citizens  to  shoulder  the  musket. 

Gen.  Daniel  Tyler,  and  Hiram  Willey,  Esq.,  of  New'London, 
were  called  upon  and  spoke  with  stirring  eloquence  and  power. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting  the  chairman  called  for  three 
cheers  for  the  Connecticut  boys  who  had  gone  to  the  war,  and 
they  were  heartily  given. 

The  enthusiasm  of  this  meeting  was  nobly  seconded  by  that 
of  the  surrounding  towns,  giving  great  impetus  to  the  recruiting 
service,  and  zeal  to  every  loyal  heart  throughout  the  army  and 
the  country.  Windham  County  was  already  awake,  and  would 
not  be  outdone  by  her  sister  county.  The  deep  interest  and  en 
thusiasm  of  her  people  were  appropriately  expressed  by  J.  Q.  A. 
Stone,  editor  of  the  Transcript,  published  at  Danielsonville,  as 
follows:  "We  can  inform  the  people  abroad  that  our  county  is 
awake  to  the  demands  of  the  country,  and  our  people  are  stirred 
with  an  enthusiasm  that  declares  that  she  will  honor  every  de 
mand  upon  her  patriotism.  The  feeling  is  eager  and  strong 
among  the  sons  of  patriotic  sires  that  we  are  ready  for  any  sacrifice. 
The  home  of  as  pure  a  patriot  (Gen.  Lyon)  as  has  fallen  during 
the  war,  whose  blood  cries  for  vengeance,  will  have'  no  conscripts 
from  her  borders.  The  question  now  is,  not  who  is  going,  but 
who  is  willing  to  remain  at  home." 

The  Willimantic  Journal,  in  the  western  part  of  the  county, 
was  not  laggard  or  faint  hearted  either  in  arousing  public  enthu 
siasm  for  the  work  of  the  hour.  Public  meetings  \vere  held  in 

<-> 

every  town  in  the  county.  The  people  flocked  to  the  recruiting 
offices  and  enrolled  themselves  in  the  army  of  the  Union. 

The  patriots  of  New  London  and  Windham  Counties,  standing 
side  by  side  for  the  government,  vied  with  each  other  in  devo 
tion  to  the  public  good.  The  rapid  mustering  of  the  Eighteenth 
Regiment  presented  novel  and  interesting  features.  On  Tuesday, 
August  i  2th,  Company  H,  Capt.  Thomas  K.  Bates,  led  by  an  en 
thusiastic  drum  corps,  entered  camp  amid  enthusiastic  cheers 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  n 


and  great  rejoicing  on  the  part  of  the  soldiers  and  citizen  spec 
tators.  The  company  was  fresh  from  Danielsonville,  where  they 
had  been  treated  to  a  fine  entertainment  by  the  ladies  of  that 
place  before  their  departure.  At  this  reception  everything  in 
the  way  of  enjoyment  and  comfort  that  affection  and  delicate 
taste  could  suggest  had  been  offered  the  departing  soldiers. 
After  the  bounteous  supper  short  and  encouraging  addresses 
were  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davenport,  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer,  "Dan" 
Tyler,  Esq.,  Henry  Hammond  and  Mr.  (Reason.  At  the  con 
clusion  of  the  speeches,  E.  L.  Cundall,  Esq.,  presented  Capt. 
Bates  with  an  elegant  sword  and  belt.  The  company  then  filed 
out  of  the  hall,  and  soon  the  cars  moved  oft  amid  the  cheers  of 
the  soldiers,  the  responses  of  the  assembled  crowd,  and  the  wav 
ing  of  handkerchiefs  by  the  ladies. 

Similar  demonstrations  were  made  in  nearly  all  the  towns  out 
of  which  companies  or  large  squads  marched  for  the  camp.  Capt. 
Warner's  company  (G)  was  attended  from  Woodstock  and  Put 
nam  by  a  large  number  of  citizens.  Through  the  streets  of  Nor 
wich  they  marched  with  martial  music,  and  other  demonstrations, 
which  elicited  general  enthusiasm,  arriving  in  camp  about  i  i 
o'clock  A.  M.,  Tuesday,  August  i4th.  Another  incident  worthy  of 
note  was  the  arrival  of  the  "Lebanon  boys,"  with  their  friends,  in 
single  and  double  teams,  who  drove  around  the  camp  with  cheers 
and  songs,  flags  flying  and  drums  beating.  The  scene  presented 
was  rather  that  of  a  holiday  frolic  than  of  preparations  for  the 
grim  realities  of  a  war.  Similar  entertaining  or  exciting  scenes 
were  witnessed  nearly  every  day  with  the  advent  of  soldiers  and 
citizens,  making  the  period  one  of  unparalleled  interest  in  the 
history  of  New  London  County.  Every  day  saw  not  only  fresh 
accessions  to  the  ranks,  but  evident  improvement  in  discipline 
through  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  Col.  Ely  and  subordinate 
officers.  The  men  were  mustered  and  equipped  with  despatch, 
and  in  the  most  perfect  manner  possible.  The  quartermaster's 
department  was  managed  with  admirable  system  and  efficiency, 


1 2  EIGH  TEE  NTH  RE  Gf ME  NT 


and  each  company  was  abundantly  and  promptly  provided  for  up 
on  its  arrival. 

The  medical  examination  of  the  men  indicated  a  remarkable 
degree^of  health  among  them.  Out  of  seventy-five  men  compris 
ing  the  Greeneville  Company,  examined  by  Dr.  Carleton,  only 
five  were  rejected;  four  for  pulmonary  complaints,  and  one  for 
deformity  of  the  right  hand.  This  record  was  a  fair  average  for 
all  the  companies,  and  the  comment  was  often  heard  from  visit 
ors,  "What  a  gallant  and  healthy-looking  regiment."  The  citi 
zens  of  Norwich,  and  visitors  from  other  towns,  were  proud  of 
their  soldiers,  and  frequently  demonstrated  their  interest  and 
admiration  in  bestowing  substantial  tokens  of  respect.  Many 
pages  of  this  record  might  be  filled  with  interesting  incidents 
in  illustration  of  this  popular  regard,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  re 
gret  that  so  few  of  them  can  be  noted,  for  these  exhibitions 
were  the  tokens  of  the  sincere  affection  which  was  cherished 
for  the  defenders  of  the  flag.  The  ladies,  especially,  exhibited 
the  deepest  interest  in  the  regiment,  and  provided  innumerable 
articles  of  convenience  and  comfort  for  the  members,  such  as 
only  their  own  thoughtful  wisdom  could  devise  and  prepare. 
The  camp  was  visited  every  day  by  many  of  them,  whose  pres 
ence  and  gifts  animated  the  soldiers,  and  cheered  them  in  their 
work  of  preparation. 

In  several  instances  Hags  were  presented  to  companies  and 
swords  to  the  officers  by  the  ladies.  The  Greeneville  Company 
received  these  appropriate  emblems  from  the  women  of  that 
place,  which  were  duly  acknowledged  by  Capt.  Davis,  in  behalf 
of  the  company,  as  follows: 

"The  members  of  the  Greeneville  Company  desire,  through  me, 
to  return  to  the  ladies  of  Greeneville  their  sincere  thanks  for  the 
beautiful,  costly,  and  well-selected  banner  presented  to  them  on 
Monday  last.  We  know  something  of  the  cheerfulness  attend 
ing  the  contribution  for  its  purchase.  We  shall  bear  it  wherever 
any  property  of  the  company  is  borne,  and  treasure  it,  especially 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  13 


in  the  hour  of  danger  and  conflict,  as  a  reminder  of  home,  and  as 
an  incentive  to  deeds  worthy  of  the  homes  we  represent. 

"Lieut.  Adam  H.  Lindsay  and  Lieut.  James  I).  Higgins  also 
return  to  the  ladies  of  Greeneville  their  heart)'  thanks  for  the  un 
expected,  but  no  less  heartily  appreciated,  gift  of  sword  and  belts 
and  sash  for  each.  To  the  cause  in  which  they  peril  their  lives, 
they  will  try  to  prove  as  true  as  their  unsheathed  steel. 

"I  desire  to  acknowledge  to  the  citizens  of  (ireeneville  the  gift 
of  a  beautiful  sword,  with  belt  and  sash.  Receive  my  fullest 
thanks,  not  only  for  this,  but  for  all  your  sympathy  for  and  co 
operation  with  me,  and  the  noble  company  you  send  from  your 
village.  I  will  try  and  do  my  duty.  Now  accord  us  your 

prayers. 

Respectfully  yours, 

"Capt.  HENRY   C.  DAVIS, 
Company  A,  Eighteenth  Regiment  C.  V." 

On  Monday,  August  2ist,  First  Lieut.  John  E.  Woodward 
was  presented  with  a  sword,  sash  and  belt  in  behalf  of  the  Hook 
and  Ladder  Company  of  Norwich. 

Not  lers  prompt  than  were  the  ladies,  in  the  administration  of 
their  kind  offices,  \vere  the  authorities  in  the  fulfillment  of  their 
pecuniary  obligations.  On  Monday,  August  i8th,  the  selectmen 
of  the  town  of  Norwich  paid  the  town  bounty  to  the  four  compa 
nies  raised  in  Norwich  and  surrounding  towns,  and  a  few  days 
later  the  regiment  received  the  United  States  bounty  of  one 
hundred  dollars  per  man. 

The  command  of  Camp  Aiken  had  devolved  upon  Brig.  Gen. 
Daniel  Tyler  until  the  arrival  of  Col.  William  (i.  Ely,  who  had 
been  promoted  from  the  Lieutenant  Colonelcy  of  the  Sixth  Con 
necticut,  then  stationed  at  Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  to  the  Colonelcy  of 
the  Eighteenth.  Col.  Ely  arrived  upon  the  grounds  on  the  i  ith 
of  August,  and  entered  upon  the  work  of  perfecting  the  organi 
zation  with  energy  and  promptitude. 

Col.  Ely's  military  career  commenced  as  a  private  in  the  First 


i4  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Regiment  of  three  months'  volunteers.  He  was  promoted  as 
Captain  and  Commissary  of  the  Connecticut  Brigade,  to  fill  a 
vacancy,  and  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  acted  as  Aid-de 
camp  to  G^n.  K.  I).  Keyes,  and  was  recommended  for  promo 
tion  for  gallant  services  during  the  battle.  In  September,  1861, 
he  was  commissioned  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Con 
necticut  Regiment,  commanded  it  at  the  taking  of  Port  Royal,  S. 
C.,  and  subsequently  during  the  long  illness  of  Col.  Chatfield. 

Of  his  promotion  the  Providence  Press  spoke  in  the  following 
flattering  terms:  "Capt.  William  G.  Ely,  First  Connecticut 
Regiment,  has  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
of  the  Sixth  C.  V.  Lieut.  Col.  Ely's  courage  and  capacity  were 
tested  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  where  as  volunteer  aid  to  Gen. 
Keyes  he  was  twenty-seven  hours  in  the  saddle,  winning  honora 
ble  mention  in  the  official  reports.  He  is,  if  we  mistake  not,  a 
"Brown-bred"  boy,  and  we  know  he  has  many  friends  here  who 
will  rejoice  at  his  success." 

With  such  a  record,  the  promotion  of  Lieut.  Col.  Ely  to  the 
command  gf  the  Eighteenth  was  a  well  merited  honor,  one  that 
gave  great  satisfaction  to  his  numerous  friends  in  Norwich,  and 
was  hailed  with  delight  by  the  members  of  the  regiment,  who 
were  to  share  with  him  the  privations  and  clangers  of  the  battle 
field. 

The  Norwich  Bulletin  commented  upon  his  appointment  as 
follows:  "The  first  thing  necessary  to  make  an  efficient  body  of 
men  is  to  have  it  well  officered,  and  judging  in  this  way,  the 
Eighteenth  ought  to  be  a  miracle  of  efficiency.  No  regiment 
that  has  rallied  under  the  banner  of  old  Connecticut  has  been  led 
to  the  field  by  any  nobler  officer  than  Col.  William  G.  Ely. 
During  the  short  time  the  regiment  has  been  organized  he  has 
endeared  himself  to  every  man  of  his  command,  both  officers  and 
privates.  He  won  his  commission  by  his  gallantry  in  the  field, 
but  his  connection  with  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  has  shown  that 
he  combines  with  that  the  rare  quality  of  organizing  and  making 
effective  regiments  of  men." 


Lieut.  Col.    MONROE  HICHOLS. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  15 


Ten  days  were  occupied  in  mustering  and  preparations  for  de 
parture.  In  the  meantime  the  greatest  activity  prevailed  in 
camp.  Every  new  arrival  of  companies  or  squads  was  greeted 
with  enthusiastic  cheers  of  welcome,  and  the  heartiest  and  most 
hopeful  feeling  seemed  to  prevail  throughout  the  encampment. 

On  the  2oth  day  of  August,  New  London  and  Windham 
Counties,  including  a  part  of  Tolland  County,  were  represented 
in  Camp  Aiken  by  a  regiment  of  ten  companies  of  soldiers,  as 
intelligent  and  patriotic  as  any  loyal  State  could  boast.  The 
reader  will  be  interested  to  know  what  towns  were  represented 
in  this  body  of  men,  and  how  many  each  town  sent  forth.  Other 
statistics  of  varied  and  equal  interest  are  added,  which  will  show 
the  excellent  quality  of  the  men.  The  roster  is  as  follows,  the 
men  being  enlisted  chiefly  by  the  captains  and  lieutenants  of 
their  respective  companies: 

Company  A,  Capt.  Henry  C.  Davis:  Norwich,  75;  Bozrah,  6; 
Canterbury,  9;  Preston,  2;  Griswold,  i ;  Scotland,  i;  Hampton  i; 
Lebanon,  i;  Lowell,  Mass.,  i;  Waterford,  i.  Total  98. 

Company  B,  Capt.  Thomas  K.  Bates:  Killingly,  55;  Brooklyn, 
13;  Putnam,  15;  Woodstock,  12;  Plainfieid,  6.  Total  101. 

Company  C,  Capt.  Isaac  H.  Bromley:  Norwich,  49;  Preston,  5; 
Lebanon,  33;  Lisbon,  2;  Lyme,  4;  Griswold,  2;  Berlin,  i;  New 
London,  i;  Stonington,  i;  Scotland,  i;  Greenwich,  i;  Franklin 
i.  Total  10 1. 

Company  1),  Capt.  Joseph  Mathewson:  Thompson,  63;  Pom- 
fret,  17;  Woodstock,  8;  Hampton,  3;  Eastford,  6.  Killingly,  i; 
Union,  i;  Brooklyn,  i.  Total  100. 

Company  E,  Capt.  Isaac  \V.  Hakes:  Norwich,  30;  Colchester, 
25;  Salem,  13;  Columbia,  7;  Griswold,  6;  Lebanon,  4;  Sprague,  3; 
Andover,  6;  Bozrah,  i;  Coventry,  4;  Scotland,  2.  Total  101. 

Company  E,  Capt.  Henry  Peale:  Norwich,  63;  Griswold,  10; 
Preston,  8;  Mansfield,  3;  Franklin,  3;  Colchester,  2;  Bozrah,  3; 
Plainfieldj  i;  Scotland,  i;  Ledyard,  2;  Canterbury,  2;  Chaplin,  i; 
Voluntovvn,  i;  Waterford,  i.  Total  101 


1 6  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Company  G,  Capt.  George  W.  Warner:  Woodstock,  46;  Put 
nam,  27.  Fomfret,  i;  Killingly,  4;  Windham,  8;  Sprague,  i;  Nor 
wich,  i:  Colchester,  i;  Tolland,  2;  Eastford,  2;  Lebanon,  r. 
Total  94. 

Company  H,  Capt.  Charles  D.  Bowen:  Windham.  57;  Coven 
try,  13:  Chaplin,  8;  Tolland,  13;  Hampton,  i;  Thompson,  3:  Wil- 
lington,  i;  Ellington,  i:  Franklin,  i.  Total  98. 

Company  I,  Capt.  Samuel  R.  Knapp,  Norwich,  31;  Preston,  7; 
Lyrne,  10;  Grisvvold,  9;  Sprague,  9;  Plainfield,  5;  Brooklyn,  i; 
Killingly,  i;  Plainfield,  i;  Wellington,  2;  Canterbury,  2  Coven 
try,  i;  Mansfield,  2;  Tolland,  3.  Total  85. 

Company  K,  Capt.  Ezra  J.  Mathewson:  Killingly,  79;  Plain- 
tield,  14;  Brooklyn,  2,  Pomfret,  2;  Sterling,  3.  Total  100. 

Of  the  whole  number,  Windham  Count}  furnished  472,  New 
London  County,  436;  Tolland  County,  58;  from  other  parts,  3; 
making  in  all  979  enlisted  men.  The  town  furnishing  the  largest 
number,  for  one  company,  was  Killingly,  viz.:  Company  K,  79 
men.  As  far  as  known,  of  married  men  there  were  496,  single 
men,  462;  excess  of  married  men,  34;  unaccounted  for,  21. 

Reuben  P.  Douglass,  Company  E,  of  Colchester,  was  the  old 
est  man,  age  51  years.  William  A.  Weaver,  Jr.,  Company  I),  of 
Thompson,  and  Samuel  11.  N.  A  very,  Scotland,  Company  E, 
were  the.  youngest,  being  each  only  16  years  of  age. 

Of  the  field  and  staff,  4  were  from  New  London  County,  4 
from  Windham  Count}'.  Of  the  line,  as  follows:  Captains— 6 
were  from  New  London  Count},  and  4  from  Windham  County. 
First  lieutenants — 6  were  from  New  London  County,  3  from 
Windham  County,  and  i  from  Tolland  County.  Second  lieu 
tenants—  -7  were  from  New  London  County,  and  3  from  Wind- 
ham  County. 

Total:  Of  officers,  23  were  from  New  London  County,  14 
from  Windham  County,  i  from  Tolland  County,  and  i  from 
Hartford  County.  Thirteen  were  graduates  of  some  literary  in 
stitution,  and  all  the  others  were  gentlemen  of  active  business 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  17 


habits,  and  more  than  ordinary  intelligence.  The  regiment  was 
thus  composed  of  able-bodied  men  in  the  prime  of  life,  only 
about  one-fifth  of  whom  were  under  twenty  years  of  age.  Of 
this  number,  Company  A  had  18;  Company  B,  23;  Company 
C,  27;  Company  D,  22;  Company  E,  15;  Company  F,  26; 
Company  G,  20;  Company  H,  21;  Company  I,  21;  Company 
K,  only  7. 

It  is  a  social  phase,  which  future  historians  will  study  with  in 
terest  and  adniiration,  that  the  volunteer  army  which  fought  for 
the  Union  was  composed  of  the  intelligence  and  thrift,  the  "bone 
and  sinew"  of  the  country.  In  the  Eighteenth  Infantry  alone 
the  different  vocations  were  represented  as  follows:  farmers,  267; 
mechanics,  115;  operatives,  6;  carpenters,  45;  manufacturers,  14; 
blacksmiths,  15;  merchants,  11;  clerks,  29;  machinists,  11; 
weavers,  17;  spinners,  17;  paper  makers,  15;  teachers,  10;  college 
students,  8;  masons,  7;  painters,  5;  day  laborers,  28;  teamsters, 
11;  foundrymen,  3;  moulders,  3;  carders,  6;  engineers,  3;  car 
riage  trimmers,  3;  shoe  and  boot  makers,  17;  tinsmiths,  3;  wheel 
wrights,  3;  dressers,  3;  plumbers,  2;  pistol  makers,  2;  telegraph 
operators,  3;  dentists,  2;  bakr  s,  3;  stone  cutters,  3;  printers,  5; 
harness  makers,  3;  lawyers,  3;  carriage  makers,  4;  hostlers,  4; 
tailors,  6;  book  binders,  2;  bleachers,  2;  sailors,  5;  soldiers,  2; 
butchers,  5;  druggists  3;  editors,  i;  clergymen,  i.  Add  to 
these  fifteen  other  vocations  represented  by  one  man  each,  and 
we  have  sixty-three  in  all.  Of  the  806  men  whose  vocation  has 
been  ascertained,  over  500  were  farmers,  mechanics,  blacksmiths, 
manufacturers,  merchants,  clerks  and  operatives,  the  best  fibre 
of  the  State;  and  all  the  others  were  men  of  honorable  trades 
and  professions  of  whom  any  people  might  be  proud. 

As  the  larger  portion  of  the  regiment  was  composed  of  married 
men,  relinquishing  varied  business  interests  as  well  as  their  fam 
ilies,  the  great  social  and  domestic  loss  their  absence  occasioned 
the  community  may  be  readily  imagined.  In  no  country  in  the 
world,  and  perhaps  in  no  part  of  our  own,  save  in  New  England, 


1 8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


could  such  a  variety  of  business  interests  have  been  represented 
as  was  the  case  in  the  Eighteenth. 

The  character  and  appearance  of  the  men  were  highly  compli 
mented  by  Governor  Buckingham,  and  other  distinguished  vis 
itors  to  Camp  Aiken. 

The  few  days  of  preparation  at  Camp  Aiken  were  not  only  in 
vested  with  novelty,  but  were  made  even  gay  and  jubilant  by  the 
buoyant  spirits  of  the  men.  Coming  mostly  from  the  common  walks 
of  life,  the  soldiers  became  at  once  attached  to  each  other  by  the 
ties  of  good-fellowship  and  mutual  esteem  that  in  many  cases 
survived  the  disasters  of  battle,  and  even  the  return  of  peace. 

Before  half  the  regiment  had  arrived  in  camp  it  had  become 
evident  that  the  Eighteenth  was  to  be  furnished  with  a  great  vari 
ety,  and  a  superior  quality  of  vocal  musical  talent.  Messrs. 
Kerr,  Green  and  Taylor,  of  Company  A,  the  Jordans  and  Wil 
liams,  of  Company  H,  the  Prays,  of  Company  K,  and  others  of 
no  less  local  fame  were  the  leaders  in  many  a  company  or  regi 
mental  concert  which  did  much  toward  relieving  the  monotony  of 
camp  life,  was  a  source  of  entertainment  to  visitors,  and  became 
later  a  real  blessing  to  the  regiment. 

On  each  pleasant  evening,  the  "glee  clubs"  would  go  round 
the  camp,  or  meet  on  the  wooden  steps,  and  sing  sweet  and  stir 
ring  songs  for  the  gratification  of  crowds  of  people  both  soldiers 
and  civilians.  Often,  of  course,  such  performances  became  a 
general  "medley"  rather  than  a  systematic  concert;  the  strain 
turning  suddenly  from  the  "grave  to  the  gay,"  from  the  "sublime 
to  the  ridiculous,"  was  the  rule  and  not  the  exception;  but  such 
variety  added  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  occasion.  At  one  time 
the  tones  of  "Home,  Sweet  Home"  would  rill  every  heart  with 
tender  memories  and  longings  for  the  "loved  ones  at  home,"  and 
tears  would  start  from  many  an  eye  as  the  heavy  thought  ob 
truded  of  the  parting  near  at  hand.  Then  the  song  would 
change  to  the  ringing  notes  of  "The  Union  forever,"  "Rally 
'round  the  Mag,  boys,"  or  the  sparkling  music  of  "Dixie;"  tc  be 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  19 


varied  a  moment  later  by  the  sad,  sweet  strains:  "We  are  going 
home  to  die  no  more,"  "There  is  rest  for  the  weary,"  "There'll 
be  no  more  sorrow  there,"  &c.  Then  again  it  would  rise  with 
the  spirit  of  the  most  devoted  patriotism  as  hundreds  of  voices 
blended  in  the  words: 

"My  country,  'tis  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  of  liberty, 

Of  thee  I  sing!" 

Next,  perhaps,  would  follow  a  ludicrous  selection  from 
"Mother  Goose's  Melodies,"  that  set  half  the  company  shaking 
with  laughter. 

Many  will  yet  remember  the  "oratorical  displays"  of  "Taylor," 
of  Company  B,  whose  characteristic  speeches  used  to  provoke 
such  storms  of  applause  and  deafening  cheers  from  his  comrades. 
Whenever  he  had  spoken  three  cheers  were  given  for  the  "ora 
tor  of  the  day;"  and  next  for  different  officers  of  the  regiment, 
for  Governor  Buckingham,  who  had  manifested  such  an  interest 
in  the  regiment,  for  the  Union  army,  the  old  flag,  and  for  Pres 
ident  Lincoln.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  these  were  stirring 
scenes  which  created  light-heartedness  among  the  men,  helped  to 
pass  the  time,  promoted  general  acquaintance,  and  wei\:  indis 
pensable  in  keeping  up  the  spirits  of  the  soldiers  in  the  work 
before  them.  Sometimes  dramatic  entertainments  were  given  in 
the  starlight  on  the  "old  wooden  steps"  on  the  grounds. 

Another  source  of  amusement  were  the  foot-races  upon  the 
Fair  Grounds  race-course,  in  which  the  competitors  were  numer 
ous,  spirited  and  persevering.  Henry  Tracy,  of  Company  H, 
generally  bore  off  the  palm.  It  was  certainly  good  exercise  in 
perfecting  the  "double-quick,"  and  furnished  entertainment  for  a 
crowd  of  spectators. 

Who  has  forgotten  the  famous  "hole  in  the  wall?  and  who 
of  the  "lucky  ones"  will  not  smile  as  he  recalls  that  fortunate 
place  of  egress  which  the  camp  guard  were  never  over  strict  in 
guarding,  and  through  which,  as  a  consequence,  the  well-informed 


so  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


were  accustomed  to  pass  out  and  in,  visiting  the  city  and  having 
a  good  time  generally  when  opportunity  afforded.  But  alas!  the 
trick  was  discovered.  The  boys  were  informed  that  it  was  un- 
soldierly  to  leave  camp  so  unceremoniously,  and  of  course  they 
'sinned  no  more" — unless  the  temptation  was  too  good  to  be  re 
jected. 

''Uncle  Park  Brown"  enlisted  in  Company  H  asafiddler.  He 
was  too  old  for  a  soldier — every  one  told  him  so — but  he  was 
very  patriotic  and  wanted  to  do  something  for  his  country. 
Hence  they  let  him  put  his  name  down,  but  with  no  idea  that  he 
would  be  accepted.  Sometime  afterward  he  was  rejected;  but 
while  his  case  was  pending  he  remained  in  his  company;  was 
very  active,  and  pleased  everybody  with  his  queer  ways.  He 
slept  in  a  tent  with  "Tom."  (Everybody  knows  who  "Tom" 
was.)  Uncle  Park  had  a  fiddle,  the  delight  of  his  heart,  which 
he  carefully  preserved  in  a  box  which  contained  his  money  also. 
Every  night  it  was  placed  under  his  head  for  safe  keeping. 
"Uncle  Park"  had  not  an  enemy  in  camp,  yet  in  some  way  he 
conceived  the  idea  that  somebody  intended  to  steal  his  money. 
Learning  of  his  suspicions,  some  of  the  boys  one  night  proposed 
to  have  some  "fun."  "Uncle"  had  retired  as  usual  after  giving 
one  of  his  musical  entertainments  with  his  famous  fiddle.  Not 
long  after  it  occurred  to  him  that  some  one  was  trying  to  raise 
the  canvas  near  him,  and  presently  a  hand  was  thrust  in,  in  the 
direction  of  his  box.  "Tom,"  he  cried,  "I  told  you  so.  Some 
one  is  trying  to  steal  my  money."  "O  no,  Uncle  Park,'1  he  con 
tinued,  "there  is  no  one  here  bad  enough  for  that!  Lie  down 
again  and  go  to  sleep."  The  hand  having  vanished,  Uncle  Park 
became  composed,  as  he  thought  for  the  night.  Suddenly  the 
hand  was  thrust  in  the  direction  of  his  box  more  violently  than 
before.  Uncle  Park  screamed  out  again,  and  instantly  sprang 
to  his  feet  greatly  alarmed,  yet  determined  on  revenge.  He 
seized  a  long  knife  which  he  kept  for  special  purposes  (perhaps 
for  self-defense,)  and  rushed  out  into  the  darkness,  followed  by 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  21 


Tom  and  others.  But  the  supposed  thief,  who  was  aware  of  the 
fighting  qualities  of  Uncle  Park,  kept  at  a  safe  distance,  while 
the  old  man  brandished  his  knife,  crying  out,  "Tom,  there  goes 
the  poor  devil;  I'll  fix  him."  But  the  owner  of  the  strange  hand 
that  had  invaded  the  old  darkey's  tent  was  nowhere  to  be  found 
that  night.  Next  clay  Uncle  Park  was  told  there  was  a  man  in 
the  guard-house  in  whom  he  might  recognize  the  ''poor  devil"  of 
the  previous  night.  "Yes,  that  is  he,"  exclaimed  Uncle,  the  mo 
ment  he  saw  him;  and  being  assured  that  he  would  be  punished 
for  his  crime,  seemed  satisfied  that  justice  was  being  done,  and 
thus  ended  what  seemed  to  him  a  very  serious  matter.  The 
boys,  however,  extracted  much  merriment  from  this  incident  for 
many  a  day  afterward. 

Again,  one  day  Col.  Ely  found  a  man  in  the  camp  dispensing 
to  the  soldiers  "bullet-proof  vests."  To  be  "iron  clad"  when  the 
bullets  should  fly  as  thick  as  hail!  what  more  could  a  soldier  ask? 
But  Col.  Ely,  who  had  often  smelt  powder  in  dangerous  proxim 
ity  to  bullets,  was  incredulous  of  the  statement  made  by  the 
dispenser  of  the  steel  vests.  He  took  one  of  the  garments  from 
the  dealer,  and  setting  it  up  as  a  target  for  his  revolver  put  sev 
eral  holes  through  it.  He  then  ordered  the  arrest  of  the  vender, 

«*> 

made  him  refund  to  each  soldier  the  amount  which  he  had  re 
ceived  in  exchange  for  the  worthless  armor,  and  gave  him 
opportunity  for  reflection  in  the  regimental  guard-house. 

Sunday,  August  i /th,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of 
the  Eighteenth  Regiment.  After  the  usual  camp  duties  of  the 
morning,  the  regiment  formed  in  line  and  marched  to  attend  re 
ligious  services  in  the  different  churches.  Arriving  at  the  town 
they  broke  ranks  and  dispersed  in  squads  in  different  directions 
as  their  special  preferences  inclined.  Nearly  every  church  was 
thronged  with  soldiers,  and  appropriate  and  touching  references  to 
the  departure  of  the  Eighteenth  were  made  by  the  pastors  in  their 
sermons,  and  earnest  prayers  offered  for  their  preservation  and 
success.  The  citizens  were  unusuallv  tender  and  attentive  in 


22  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


their  intercourse  and  all  breathed  a  blessing  upon  the  soldiers, 
wishing  them  well  in  their  hazardous  undertaking.  One  old 
woman,  meeting  a  squad  of  the  boys  in  the  street,  cried  out,  "Poor 
soldiers,  God  bless  you,"  and  with  deep  emotion  she  bade  them 
good-by.  It  was  a  day  of  deep  interest  and  solemnity  to  many 
a  family  in  Norwich.  Wives  trembled  with  emotion  as  they 
leaned  on  the  arm  of  their  husbands  on  their  way  to  the  church 
where  they  had  worshipped  so  many  times,  and  the  thought  that 
this  might  be  their  last  service  together  rilled  their  eyes  with 
tears  as  they  listened  to  the  tender  allusions  to  their  final  separa 
tion.  Mothers  and  fathers  looked  upon  the  manly  forms  of 
soldier  boys  with  tearful  solicitude  and  yearning  hearts.  Oh 
many  were  the  tears  and  prayers  of  that  last  Sunday  in  Norwich, 
Hundreds  of  men  who  read  these  pages  will  recall  the  incidents 
of  that  hour  with  deep  emotions  of  pain  and  pleasure.  Of  pain; 
because  the  vows  and  resolutions  were  so  soon  forgotten;  oi 
pleasure,  because  a  train  of  influences  was  set  in  motion  thai 
tended  to  preserve  them  from  evil  in  the  trials  and  temptations 
of  a  demoralizing  and  vicious  life. 

While  the  soldiers  were  at  the  city,  a  few  men  had  been  left  in 
camp  and  their  devotions  were,  perhaps,  more  sombre-colorec 
even  than  those  of  their  absent  comrades.  Capt.  Isaac  W, 
Hakes,  Jr.,  was  officer  of  the  day.  The  guards  paced  their  lone 
ly  beats  with  gloomy  hearts,  and  one  of  the  men  said  afterwards 
"I  got  along  very  well  until  that  last  Sunday  and  then  I  began  tc 
get  clown-hearted."  Well,  the  sun  went  down  at  last,  and  witr 
it  sank  the  last  season  of  domestic  and  social  enjoyment  with 
many  of  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers  and  the  friends 
they  loved.  A  light  had  disappeared  from  many  a  homestead 
and  was  fated  never  to  reappear. 

None  of  the  members  of  the  regiment  will  ever  forget  the 
varied  scenes  of  the  last  da}7  at  Camp  Aiken  preceding  their  de 
parture  for  the  South.  How  many  emotions  were  minglec 
with  pleasure  and  pain!  With  some,  alas!  it  was  the  last  da} 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  23 

ofi  the  soil  of  their  native  State;  they  exchanged  affectionate 
greetings  with  loved  ones  for  the  last  time,  and  bade  a  final  fare 
well  to  all  they  held  dear  and  sacred  in  the  land  of  their  birth. 

Throughout  the  day  the  camp  was  thronged  with  friends  of 
the  soldiers,  and  loving  hands  assisted  in  packing  knapsacks  with 
tokens  of  affection  as  well  as  with  little  necessary  articles,  such 
as  pin-cushions,  needles,  books,  thread,  scissors,  etc.  Hymn 
books  and  Bibles  were  not  forgotten,  nor  were  the  pictures  of 
loved  ones  at  home.  These  precious  reminders,  placed  in 
pocket-albums,  single  cases,  or  in  lockets,  were  put  in  places 
easiest  of  access  that  the  lonely  soldier  might  often  delight  in 
them,  and  keep  the  love  of  home  fresh  in  his  heart.  Who,  bet 
ter  than  a  soldier,  can  estimate  the  value  of  a  wife's  or  a  sister's 
picture?  Or  where  else  than  on  the  battle-field  have  been  wit 
nessed  so  many  testimonials  of  the  clinging  affection  in  which 
such  mementoes  are  held?  It  is  related  that  a  soldier  was  dying 
on  the  ground  in  the  front  of  battle.  He  held  in  his  hand  a  gold 
locket,  and  when  some  one  attempted  to  release  his  grasp,  he 
opened  his  failing  eyes  and  implored  him  by  the  memory  of  his 
mother  and  sister  not  to  take  it  away.  Said  he,  "It  was  her  last 
gift.  I  promised  her  when  I  kissed  her  cheek  at  parting  that  I 
would  always  wear  it  near  my  heart  in  life  or  death."  Several 
members  of  the  Eighteenth,  when  on  the  famous  Hunter's  raid, 

o 

placed  in  the  hands  of  the  writer  their  money,  watches,  and  even 
their  Bibles  for  safe  keeping,  but  their  pictures  were  retained  to 
be  worn  nearest  the  heart.  These  were  the  last  gifts  of  mothers, 
sisters,  wives  and  lovers.  A  member  of  Company  A,  speaking 
of  his  losses  at  the  battle  of  Winchester,  said,  "I  lost  everything, 
even  my  sweetheart's  picture,  but  by  some  happy  circumstance 
that  was  afterwards  returned  to  me."  The  reader  may  imagine 
the  pleasure  its  restoration  gave  him,  and  be  pleased  to  know 
that  after  the  war  was  over  he  was  able  to  exchange  it  for  the 
fair  original. 


24  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  DEPARTURE. 


The  regiment  took  its  departure  for  the  field  on  Friday,  Au 
gust  22d,  being  the  first  to  leave  the  State,  as  it  had  been  the 
last  to  go  into  camp  under  the  call  for  the  six  regiments.  The 
entire  day  was  one  of  intense  excitement,  both  in  camp  and 
throughout  the  surrounding  towns. 

Early  in  the  day  an  excursion  train  from  Windham  County 
had  brought  down  large  numbers  of  relatives  and  friends  of  the 
soldiers,  who  together  with  companies  of  citizens  filed  along  the 
roads  on  a  last  visit  to  the  camp-ground. 

Stages,  omnibuses,  lumber-wagons,  trotting  buggies,  vehicles 
of  all  descriptions  filled  the  dusty  thoroughfares,  either  going  or 
returning  during  the  whole  clay.  At  the  camp  the  tents  of  the 
soldiers  were  filled  with  women,  wives,  relatives  and  friends  of 
the  soldiers  who  had  come  to  enjoy  again  fora  while  each  other's 
society,  to  bring  little  mementoes  of  home,  little  delicacies  to 
sweeten  camp  fare,  and  render  the  change  from  the  comforts  of 
home  to  the  discomforts  of  a  soldier's  life  less  abrupt  and  painful. 
During  the  whole  afternoon  the  vast  crowd  swayed  hither  and 
thither  over  the  ground,  or  stood  in  groups  talking  earnestly  of 
the  past  and  of  the  future;  gravely  surveying  the  busy  scene, 
and  taking  a  final  farewell,  in  which  the  tearful  eye  and  the  earn 
est  hand-grasp  betrayed  the  emotion  that  only  those  can  feel 
who  are  parted  by  the  grim  scepter  of  war. 


Lieut.  Col.    HENRY  PEALE. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  25 


At  four  o'clock  the  regiment  was  formed  to  receive  its  colors. 
His  Excellency  Governor  Buckingham  drove  upon  the  field  in  a 
carriage  occupied  by  a  committee  of  ladies,  bearing  a  magnifi 
cent  national  flag  manufactured  by  Tiffany  &  Co.,  of  New  York, 
to  be  presented  to  the  regiment  in  behalf  of  the  ladies  of  Nor 
wich.  The  flag  was  of  heavy  silk,  with  the  name  of  the  regiment 
and  the  stars  embroidered  upon  it  in  silver,  and  a  silver  spear 
head  upon  the  top  of  the  staff.  The  State  flag  was  not  yet 
completed,  but  was  sent  to  the  regiment  after  its  arrival  in  Balti 
more.  In  an  eloquent  address  Governor  Buckingham  presented 
the  colors  which,  were  received  by  Col.  Ely  in  behalf  of  the  regi 
ment.  At  the  close  of  these  interesting  ceremonies,  the  regiment, 
after  marching  about  the  camp,  took  its  course  for  the  city,  pre 
ceded  by  the  Norwich  Cornet  Band,  which  had  volunteered  as 
escort,  and  flanked  and  followed  by  an  immense  concourse  on 
foot  and  in  carriages.  The  city  had  donned  its  holiday  attire  to 
receive  the  soldiers.  The  national  colors  floated  from  public  and 
private  buildings,  and  from  the  shipping  in  the  river,  and  the 
windows  and  balconies  on  the  line  of  march  were  filled  with  ladies 
anxious  to  wave  an  adieu  and  take  a  last  look  at  the  gallant 
Eighteenth.  The  regiment  marched  directly  to  the  wharf  of  the 
Norwich  &  Worcester  Railroad  Company,  where  the  steamer 
City  of  Boston  was  waiting  to  receive  them.  Here  the  crowd 
was  immense,  and  the  guard  which  was  placed  at  each  end  of 
the  freight  depot  to  keep  back  the  multitude  had  no  slight  or 
welcome  duty  to  perform.  After  the  soldiers  had  passed  on 
the  vessel,  friends  and  relatives  filled  the  wharves  and  with  tears 
in  their  eyes  pleaded  to  be  allowed  to  go  on  board  to  speak  one 
parting  word  with  husband,  son  or  brother,  but  the  guard  was 
inexorable.  Finally,  at  seven  o'clock,  the  engines  started,  the 
boat  moved  slowly  out  into  the  stream,  a  loud  cheer  rose  from 
its  precious  freight  and  an  answering  shout  came  from  the  crowd 
on  the  wharves  and  river  banks;  a  burst  of  music  followed  and 
the  roar  of  cannon,  and  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  had  departed. 


26  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  people  lingered  and  watched  the  receding  boat  for  a  long 
time,  and  when  they  finally  turned  away  their  hearts  sent  up  a 
silent  prayer  for  the  preservation  of  the  loved  ones  and  their  safe 
return.  Many  were  the  homes  in  New  London  and  Windham 
Counties  that  night  which  sleep  did  not  enter  !  Many  were  the 
hearts  filled  with  bitter  loneliness  and  gloom  The  trip  to  New 
York  was  unenlivened  by  notable  incident  of  any  kind,  but  on 
the  wharves  next  morning  many  of  the  privates  and  officers 
suffered  at  the  hands  of  pick-pockets.  It  was  rather  galling  to 
men  who  were  about  to  peril  their  lives  in  the  service  of  their 
country  to  be  made  the  prey  of  the  vermin  of  New  York  city; 
but  after  all,  the  incident  had  its  ludicrous  side,  and  momentary 
vexation  vanished  in  a  hearty  laugh.  Moreover,  the  adventure 
furnished  occasion  for  the  display  of  kindly  feeling,  the  fortunate 
making  up  the  losses  of  their  comrades  in  so  far  as  they  were 
able  to  do  so. 

The  boat  arrived  in  New  York  at  about  six  o'clock  Saturday 
morning,  and  at  half-past  nine  the  regiment  left  pier  two  for 
Elizabethport  whence  it  was  transported  by  rail  to  Baltimore  via. 
Harrisburg.  The  reason  for  forwarding  troops  by  this  extend 
ed  route  can  be  accounted  for  only  on  the  supposition  that  the 
other  more  direct  roads  were  crowded  to  their  utmost  capacity, 
and  could  not  take  them  so  soon  as  desired.  Sunday,  July  24th, 
found  the  regiment  in  Baltimore  after  a  long  and  wearisome 
ride.  It  was  a  pleasant  change  after  the  inaction  of  the  rail 
road  journey  to  march  through  the  pleasant  streets  of  the  rebel 
city,  "keeping  step  to  the  music  of  the  Union,"  and  the  presence 
of  the  very  men  who  a  year  before  had  failed  in  their  attempt  to 
annihilate  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 
added  not  a  little  and  a  peculiar  interest  to  the  occasion. 

The  Eighteenth  carried  themselves  bravely  and  decorously 
and  were  treated  with  perfect  respect.  Their  quiet,  manly  bear 
ing  elicited  commendation  from  all  spectators;  one  remarking 
that  "If  all  the  soldiers  appeared  as  well  as  the  Eighteenth  Con- 


CONNECTICUT   VOLUNTEERS. 


necticut  there  could  be  no  cause  of  complaint."  Although  the 
regiment  had  not  at  that  time  received  their  muskets,  it  cer 
tainly  made  a  fine  appearance  on  its  march  through  the  city  to 
the  Soldiers'  Rest,  where  it  remained  until  nearly  night  wait 
ing  for  orders.  Col.  Ely  reported  to  Maj.  Gen.  Wool, 
commanding  the  middle  department,  and  at  once  re 
ceived  orders  that  the  regiment  was  to  garrison  Fort  Mc- 
Henry  in  place  of  New  York  soldiers  whose  term  of  service 
had  just  expired.  The  assignment  was  a  complete  surprise  as  it 
was  the  general  impression  when  the  regiment  left  Connecticut 
that  it  would  go  to  Washington  to  receive  its  arms,  and  thence 
be  hurried  to  the  front  for  active  service.  According  to  report 
this  would  have  been  the  case  but  for  the  arrival  in  Baltimore  of 
a  train  of  soldiers  one  hour  in  advance  of  the  Eighteenth,  who 
were  sent  on  to  the  front,  while  the  latter  were  retained  to  fill 
the  vacancy  just  created  as  before  stated.  The  arrangement, 
however,  was  not  very  satisfactory  to  Col.  Ely,  for,  although  his 
command  were  raw  recruits,  undisciplined,  and  wholly  unfit  for 
work  on  the  front,  still  it  was  desirable  that  it  should  be  put  to 
field  instead  of  garrison  duty  as  the  quickest  way  of  preparing 
the  men  for  the  soldiers'  calling,  and  preserving  them  from  the 
vices  and  demoralization  of  inactive  army  life. 

At  Fort  McHenry  the  regiment  came  under  the  command  of 
Brig.  Gen.  N.  W.  Morris,  an  old  army  officer,  a  strict  disciplina 
rian,  and  in  every  respect  a  soldier.  Here  the  men  received  their 
muskets. 

Col.  Ely  hoped  to  develop  at  once  the  resources  of  his  regi 
ment  in  military  science,  for  as  yet  they  had  not  attempted 
battalion  drill  and  had  received  but  little  instruction  in  compa 
nies  and  squads.  On  the  next  day,  August  25th,  much  to  the 
disappointment  of  the  officers,  the  regiment  was  divided,  the 
right  wing  remaining  on  garrison  duty  in  the  fort,  while  the 
companies  of  the  left  wing  were  sent,  under  the  command  of 
Maj.  Keech,  to  do  guard  duty  on  the  railroad  between  Baltimore 
and  Havre-de-Grace. 


28  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


A  letter  of  the  same  date  from  the  regular  correspondent  of 
the  Bulletin,  I.  H.  B.,  (familiarly  called  "Ike")  soon  after 
appeared  in  the  columns  of  that  paper,  and  is  so  full  of  interest 
and  complete  in  detail  that  it  is  herewith  inserted  in  full: 

"Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore,  August  25th,  1862. 

"So  here  we  are  fixed  for  a  residence  of  I  don't  know  how  long. 
Hardly  settled  yet  in  our  new  quarters,  but  getting  accustomed 
to  them,  and  feeling  at  home  here  more  and  more  every  hour. 
Our  journey  from  Camp  Aiken  was,  under  all  circumstances,  as 
pleasant,  comfortable  and  agreeable  as  we  could  have  expected. 
The  men  are  all  in  excellent  spirits,  and  do  not  seem  to  feel  the 
rubbing  off  of  the  romance  of  the  war  and  the  breaking  in  to  the 
rough  and  tough  realities  of  the  business  hardly  at  all.  They 
are  as  fine  a  set  of  men  as  ever  trod  shoe  leather,  and  I  believe 
1  divest  myself  of  every  feeling  of  partiality  when  I  express  the 
opinion  that  they  will  prove  themselves,  after  a  little  instruction, 
equal  to  any  regiment  in  the  service. 

"Our  passage  to  New  York  was  not  particularly  note-worthy 
except  that  some  of  us  were  unfortunate  enough  to  lose  our 
money.  I  was  among  the  sufferers  to  the  extent  of  my  entire 
pile,  and  one  or  two  of  the  men  in  the  regiment  lost  wallets  con 
taining  various  amounts. 

"It  was  pleasant  testimony  to  the  community  of  feeling  and 
generous  sympathy  of  the  officers  of  the  Eighteenth  that  they 
came  together  and  with  one  accord  contributed  from  their  own 
private  purses  to  make  good  the  losses  of  their  associates.  Had 
I  been  at  all  disposed  to  be  doleful  over  my  loss — and  I  confess 
I  was  somewhat  so  inclined — the  many  cordial  expressions  of 
sympathy  from  all  would  have  dispelled  the  "blues."  The  grat 
ification  I  could  not  help  feeling  at  finding  myself  associated 
with  so  many  true-hearted,  generous  men,  and  the  further  gratifi 
cation  of  finding  in  my  own  company  a  unanimous  desire  to 
make  up  my  loss  among  themselves,  which  I,  of  course,  declined, 
was  sufficient  compensation  for  any  mere  pecuniary  loss. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  29 


arrived  in  New  York  about  six  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  were 
landed  at  pier  two,  where  we  took  boat  for  Elizabethport.  Before 
leaving,  however,  we  were  entertained  with  coffee  and  excellent 
beef  soup,  for  which  we  were  indebted  to  Col.  John  Almy,  the 
Connecticut  State  Agent  in  New  York  city.  At  Elizabethport 
we  took  cars  for  Harrisburg,  a  tedious  journey  of  I  don't  know 
how  many  miles,  where  we  arrived  at  two  P.  M.,  on  Sunday. 

"Thence,  without  change  of  cars,  we  came  to  Baltimore, 
arriving  here  about  noon.  Here  Col.  Ely  reported  to 
Gen.  Wool,  and  was  ordered  at  once  to  Fort  McHenry, 
to  take  the  place  of  the  Forty-Seventh  New  York  mi 
litia,  whose  term  of  service,  for  three  months,  had  just  ex 
pired.  While  in  Baltimore,  and  before  starting  on  the  march  to 
the  fort,  we  were  most  liberally  entertained  by  the  Union  Relief 
Association,  of  Baltimore,  who  had  provided  a  generous  collation 
for  the  regiment.  Our  boys  are  of  the  opinion  that  if  the  secesh 
of  Baltimore  are  the  meanest  in  the  country,  the  union  men  are 
certainly  the  best  and  truest.  Arrived  at  Fort  McHenry  we 
were  very  cordially  received  by  the  officers  of  the  New  York 
Forty-Seventh,  who  installed  us  in  our  quarters,  and  did 
everything  in  their  power  to  make  us  comfortable.  They  are  a 
fine  set  of  fellows,  and  we  all  feel  greatly  indebted  to  their  court 
esy  and  kindness. 

"On  all  the  journey  there  was  no  disorder,  drunkenness  or 
misbehaviour  of  any  sort,  and  this  morning  the  full  regiment  was 
reported  present  or  accounted  for.  They  are  such  men  as  the 
officers  are  all  proud  of,  and  as  the  State  may  glory  in.  They 
are  well  disposed  and  tractable  and  take  very  kindly  and  readily 
to  the  change  from  home  comforts  to  rough  camp  life. 

"How  long  we  are  to  remain  here  no  one  knows;  probably  until 
we  have  been  sufficiently  instructed,  drilled,  and  disciplined  to 
fit  us  for  service  in  the  field.  When  that  time  comes  the 
Eighteenth  Regiment  will  be  ready  to  show  its  mettle,  and  I 
know  they  will  not  fail  nor  falter  in  their  duty." 


3o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


As  it  was  necessary  that  troops  should  be  employed  both  for 
aggressive  and  defensive  movements  in  Baltimore,  it  was  as  well 
perhaps  that  the  Eighteenth  should  be  thus  engaged  as  any 
other  regiment  of  the  national  forces,  but  it  was  a  shame  to  the 
State  of  Maryland  that  such  a  necessity  existed.  From  the  first 
it  was  feared  that  the  citizens  of  the  Commonwealth,  allied  to 
the  South  by  the  strongest  social,  political  and  commercial  ties, 
would  ally  themselves  with  the  Rebellion,  and  it  is  true  that  many 
of  them  were  then  fighting  in  the  rebel  army,  while  many  more 
at  home  privately  gave  them  substantial  aid  and  encouragement. 
Baltimore  was  still  a  rebellious  city — a  smoking  volcano — liable  at 
any  moment  to  send  forth  the  flames  of  its  hate  and  vengeance 
for  the  destruction  of  the  capitol  of  the  nation.  No  doubt  many 
of  the  rebels  of  the  city  were  living  then  in  hourly  expectation  of 
deliverance  by  Stonewall  Jackson,  who  was  a  source  of  constant 
terror  to  the  Union  forces  and  Union  sympathizers.  Indeed, 
they  often  boasted  of  such  expectation  and  desire,  and  rumors  to 
that  effect  were  constantly  circulated  and  found  credence  among 
the  people.  The  six  companies  of  the  Eighteenth  at  Fort  Mc- 
Henry  were,  therefore,  of  great  service  to  the  country,  being  a 
restraint  upon  this  rebellious  feeling,  and  a  terror  to  its  abet 
tors. 

Before  loaded  mortars,  ready  at  a  touch  to  send  death  and  de 
struction  into  every  street  in  the  city,  disloyal  Baltimore  stood 
with  scowling  respect,  and  checked  any  outward  demonstrations 
in  behalf  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  The  frowning  embra 
sures  of  Forts  McHenry  and  Marshall  were  a  grim  though  silent 
menace  to  treacherous  men  and  women,  that  before  Baltimore 
should  pass  from  under  Federal  rule  the  city  which  gave  the  "Star 
spangled  banner"  to  the  nation  would  become  a  smoking  mass 
of  bricks  and  mortar.  The  duty  of  standing  guard  over  this 
secession  element,  watching  its  moods  for  the  first  indication  of 
danger,  was  tiresome  and  monotonous,  yet  it  was  an  important 
and  imperative  one. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  31 


The  location  of  the  camp  was  delightful — a  beautiful  slope 
extending  from  Fort  Me  Henry  to  the  sparkling  waters  of  Ches 
apeake  bay,  the  breezes  from  which  came  cool  and  refreshing. 
The  bay  was  directly  in  the  foreground,  its  surface  dotted  with 
the  bending  sails  of  hundreds  of  vessels;  while  behind  and  above 
them  rose  the  dark  walls  of  the  forts  bristling  with  heavy  guns. 
If  the  Eighteenth  had  been  looking  for  comfortable  quarters 
it  was  hardly  possible  it  could  have  been  better  accommodated. 
The  duty  was  not  heavy  though  constant  and  regular.  Reveille 
and  roll-call  at  five  o'clock  A.  M.,  breakfast  at  six,  guard  mount 
ing  at  eight,  drill  at  ten,  dinner  call  at  twelve,  drill  again  at  three, 
dress  parade  at  five,  supper  at  six,  "tattoo"  at  nine  and  "taps"  at 
ten  o'clock  comprised  the  routine  of  every-day  duties. 

The  r  5th  of  September  found  the  regiment  still  at  the 
fort,  growing  still  more  weary  of  the  monotonous  life,  but 
deeply  interested  in  the  stirring  events  going  on  about  them. 
Exciting,  nay,  threatening  events  they  were.  The  Southern 
army  had  invaded  Maryland.  Ninety-eight  thousand  rebels  had 
marched  past  Baltimore,  within  two  days'  journey  of  the  city. 
The  rebels  in  the  town  were  jubilant  and  confident,  and  many 
looked  for  Jackson,  from  day  to  day,  to  appear  for  their  deliver 
ance. 

The  Union  army,  under  Gen.  Pope,  had  been  driven  back 
from  the  second  Bull  Run  battle,  and  had  taken  refuge  within 
the  defenses  of  Washington.  Gen.  Lee  had  improved  this  ad 
vantage  by  pushing  his  victorious  troops  into  Maryland,  and  on 
the  2d  of  September  I).  H.  Hill's  fresh  division  led  the  van  of 
the  rebel  army  to  Leesburg,  and  thence  crossing  the  Potomac  at 
Noland's  Ferry  had  moved  on  Frederick  city.  Jackson,  cross 
ing  at  White's  Ferry  on  the  5th,  had  entered  Frederick  on  the 
6th  without  resistance;  and  Gen.  Lee  with  the  rest  of  his  army 
had  rapidly  followed,  concentrating  at  the  same  place,  from 
which  he  issued  an  artful  and  impassioned  appeal  to  the  South. 

Then  followed  the  battles  of  South    Mountain  and    Harper's 
Ferry,  and  the  desperate  struggle  of  Antietam. 


32  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  closely  contested  battle  of  South  Mountain  resulted  in  a 
victory  for  the  Union  forces,  the  news  of  which  was  received  with 
unbounded  delight  by  the  boys  in  and  around  Baltimore.  During 
these  exciting  scenes  the  utmost  care  and  diligence  was  required 
of  the  forces  at  Baltimore  on  the  line  of  the  railroads,  and  the 
Eighteenth  found  plenty  to  do.  The  regiment  had  become  re 
markably  proficient  in  the  manual  of  arms  and  in  field  exercises, 
and  constantly  won  compliments  from  sick  or  wounded  officers 
who  had  been  sent  from  the  front  to  the  camps  of  the  convales 
cents.  Those  officers  were  from  various  regiments  and  nearly 
all  had  been  through  the  peninsular  campaign.  The  chief 
instructor  was  Capt.  Pierce,  of  the  Massachusetts  Tenth,  who 
spared  no  time  or  pains,  and  was  constant  in  attention. 

The  morale  of  the  regiment  was  under  the  care  of  Chaplain 
Cooper.  After  a  stay  of  about  two  weeks,  he  had  returned  to 
Connecticut,  and  visited  New  London,  Norwich  and  Danielson- 
ville  to  obtain  means  for  purchasing  a  fine  chapel  tent  which,  on 
his  return  to.  camp,  was  erected,  much  to  the  gratification  of  the 
regiment.  It  proved  a  pleasant  place  of  resort  for  the  men 
when  off  duty,  where  the  chaplain  held  frequent  services  for  a 
time,  and  considerable  religious  interest  was  manifested.  The 
division  and  scattering  of  the  regiment  interfered  not  a  little 
with  this  department.  But  doubtless  much  good  was  done,  and 
the  sociable  religious  meetings  of  that  time  are  recalled  with 
affectionate  interest  by  those  who  took  pleasure  in  them. 

Chaplain  Cooper  was  an  earnest,  eloquent  preacher,  and  was 
listened  to  with  interest  and  profit.  Many  citizens  from  the  city 
were  often  present  at  these  meetings,  and  not  infrequently 
induced  the  chaplain  to  preach  at  some  of  their  churches,  where 
he  was  cordially  welcomed  by  the  denomination  (Methodist)  to 
which  he  belonged. 

After  the  battles  of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  large 
numbers  of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  were  brought  into  the 
fort,  and  at  one  time  there  were  more  than  fifteen  hundred 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  33 


slightly  wounded  men  provided  for  there,  the  more  seriously 
wounded  being  cared  for  nearer  the  battle-fields  in  the  hospitals 
of  Baltimore,  Boonsboro'  and  Hagerstown.  The  arrival  of  the 
wounded  was  a  new  experience  to  the  Eighteenth  and  a  painful 
relief  from  the  monotony  of  affairs  at  the  fort.  These  wounded 
soldiers  the  boys  called  the  "cripple  brigade."  They  had  a  sad 
story  to  tell  of  their  sufferings  in  the  "peninsular  campaign,'* 
and  later  when  they  were  broken  down  in  the  great  Maryland 
battles,  and  they  never  failed  of  gathering  a  crowd  of  eager  lis 
teners. 

During  this  time  the  camp  was  never  wanting  in  rumors  in  re 
lation  to  the  immediate  or  eventual  disposition  of  the  regiment. 
Sometimes  the  story  would  be  that  the  whole  command  was  to 
be  sent  to  Havre  de  Grace,  or  to  Washington,  Harper's  Ferry, 
Cincinnati,  Port  Royal,  Newbern  or  New  Orleans,  each  report 
producing  the  wildest  excitement  for  a  while  and  then  giving 
place  to  others  equally  untrue  and  absurd.  Through  it  all,  and 
during  the  remainder  of  September  and  October,  the  regiment  re 
mained  at  Fort  Me  Henry  busied  with  the  routine  of  guard  duty, 
drill  and  dress  parades,  and  becoming  daily  more  perfect  under 
the  indefatigable  efforts  of  Col.  Ely. 

The  State  Hag,  the  gift  of  the  ladies  of  Norwich,  which  was 
not  ready  for  presentation  when  the  regiment  left  the  State,  had 
been  completed  and  forwarded  to  Col.  Ely  by  Governor  Buck 
ingham,  the  receipt  of  which  was  acknowledged  in  fitting  terms  as 
follows: 

Camp   Morris,  Fort  McHenry. 

Sir: — In  behalf  of  the  regiment  I  take  great  pleasure  in  ac 
knowledging  the  receipt  of  the  superb  State  colors  presented  to 
us  by  the  ladies  of  Norwich.  The  flag  was  delivered  to  us  to-day, 
its  rich  silk  and  elegant  staff  uninjured  by  transportation.  Both 
the  national  and  State  colors  were  this  evening  brought  forth 
at  dress  parade,  their  artistic  beauty  and  richness  attracting  uni 
versal  attention.  Army  officers,  soldiers  and  civilians  unite  in 


34  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


plaudits,  pronouncing  them  surpassingly  beautiful.  Words  are 
wanting  for  the  fit  expression  of  the  pride  and  affection  with 
which  the  Eighteenth  C.  V.  regard  these  colors,  not  alone  as 
emblems  of  our  national  and  State  honor,  but  as  constant  remind 
ers  of  the  interest  felt  in  us  and  our  welfare  by  the  loved  ones 
at  home.  I  am, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  G.  ELY, 

Colonel  Eighteenth  C.  V. 

To  his  Excellency  WTilliam  A.  Buckingham,  Governor  State 
of  Connecticut. 

The  regiment  had  not  been  a  month  in  Baltimore  before  the 
demand  was  made  for  more  recruits  to  fill  the  places  of  those  who 
had  been  promoted,  and  \yas  a  great  merit  in  the  Eighteenth  that 
it  had  so  many  men  of  sufficient  intelligence  and  ability  to  fill  any 
post  ot  duty.  In  this  respect  Company  C  deserves  special  mention. 
Although  when  the  regiment  was  enlisted  only  eighteen  were  re 
ported  as  teachers,  yet  in  this  company  alone  there  were  more 
than  twenty  young  soldiers  who  had  been  successful  teachers, 
though  at  the  time  of  their  enlistment  were  in  more  lucrative 
employments.  Such  men  as  these  were  in  the  line  of  promotion 
at  any  time,  of  whom  may  be  mentioned:  Joseph  P.  Rockwell, 
promoted  to  be  Sergeant  Major;  J.  1).  Ripley,  hospital  steward; 
George  E.  Dorrance,  detailed  for  the  quartermasters'  depart 
ment;  D.  L.  Wilson,  Col.  Ely's  orderly;  Hiram  B.  Crosby,  Ad 
jutant;  Christopher  A.  Brand,  Sergeant  Major  of  the  Twenty- 
first  Regiment;  C.  B.  Culver,  detailed  to  assist  the  Post  Adjutant 
at  Eort  McHenry;  J.  L.  W.  Huntington,  of  Norwich,  and  Dr. 
M.  W.  Robinson,  of  Hebron,  to  the  post  hospital,  and  A.  D. 
Holmes,  of  Lebanon,  blacksmith  of  the  post. 

Ten  men  from  one  company  was  a  large  number  to  lose,  and 
they  were  greatly  missed  by  their  comrades.  In  the  case  of 
Hiram  B.  Crosby,  who  was  promoted  to  be  Lieutenant  Colonel  of 
the  Twenty-first  Regiment,  June  2/th,  1864,  he  was  one  of  the 


4* 

P4 


50 
0) 

PC! 


CO 
50 


CONNECTICUT   VOLUNTEERS.  35 


first  volunteers  of  the  Eighteenth,  who  at  the  great  meeting  al 
ready  described  sprang  upon  the  stage  at  the  conclusion  of  one  of 
the  speeches,  and  enrolled  his  name.  His  example  was  followed 
instantly  by  a  large  number  of  others.  He  wras  an  earnest  and 
enthusiastic  soldier,  and  his  early  promotion  was  well  deserved. 

The  regiment  was  now  in  need  of  recruits  and  an  effort  was 
made  to  obtain  them.  Lieut.  Fred.  Palmer  was  sent  home  to  Nor 
wich  to  recruit  for  Company  C.  The  time  chosen  for  this  ser 
vice  was  not  opportune,  as  a  special  effort  was  then  being  made 
to  recruit  for  the  nine  months'  regiments,  and  it  was  quite 
natural  that  most  men  would  prefer  the  short  term  of  service. 
Lieut.  Palmer  wrote  back  to  his  company  that  the  prospect  for 
raising  three  years'  men  would  be  better  from  a  "grave  yard" 
than  from  among  the  living  men  in  Connecticut.  Accordingly 
Company  C  could  get  no  recruits  to  fill  its  decimated  ranks. 
Only  five  recruits  were  received  during  the  rest  of  the  year  1862, 
and  only  one  of  these  was  consigned  to  Company  C,  viz: 
Henry  A.  Dagget,  and  he  deserted  in  thirteen  days  after  he  ar 
rived  at  the  regiment.  The  others  were  George  S.  Hayes, 
Company  H;  William  C.  Harbison,  Company  I;  A.  H.  King, 
Company  I,  and  Owen  McShean,  Company  I.  The  prospect  at 
this  time  of  filling  up  the  Eighteenth  was  not  very  Mattering. 

It  should  be  stated  that  four  days  after  the  arrival  of  the  regi 
ment  in  Baltimore  twenty-one  enlisted- men  of  the  Twenty-first 
Regiment  had  arrived  in  camp  who  enlisted  a  day  or  two  before 
leaving  Norwich.  Their  case  was  a  peculiar  one,  they  being  part 
of  a  squad  of  the  Twenty-first  who,  becoming  dissatisfied  over  the 
choice  of  officers,  felt  at  liberty  to  join  the  Eighteenth,  as  they  had 
not  been  sworn  into  the  United  States  service.  Before  quitting 
Norwich  the  officers  of  the  Twenty-first  had  made  an  effort  to  ar 
rest  them  as  deserters,  but  it  was  claimed  they  had  the  right  to 
change  their  relations,  and  Governor  Buckingham  sustained  them 
in  their  position.  Right  or  wrong,  the  men  became  members  of 
the  Eighteenth  and  it  is  not  known  that  they  ever  had  cause  to 


36  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


regret  their  course.      They    were  scattered  among  different  com 
panies. 

Perhaps  another  explanation  why  the  effort  was  futile  to  recruit 
the  regiment  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  no  bounties  were  paid 
to  the  three  years'  men.  Therefore  men  thought  themselves 
fortunate,  if  compelled  to  go  to  the  war,  to  be  enlisted  in  the  nine 
months'  regiments,  notwithstanding  the  sarcastic  criticism  of  their 
"patriotism"  by  the  three  years'  soldiers.  A  correspondent  of 
the  Eighteenth  about  that  time  spoke  the  general  feeling:  "We 
make  no  complaint,  have  no  grievance  to  present,  and  shall  do 
no  grumbling,  but  we  do  feel  at  liberty  to  lay  the  facts  before  the 
people  at  home  and  ask  you  what  you  think  of  it?  Does  govern 
ment  need  most  nine  months'  men  or  three  years'  men.  is  the 
patriotism  we  have  all  read  so  much  about  expended  to  serve 
and  save  the  government,  or  is  it  to  avoid  the  draft?  I  confess 
that  to  me  it  looks  very  much  as  though  the  "quota"  was  the  big 
gest  thing  that  had  happened  to  the  community  lately,  and  that 
everybody  was  devoting  all  their  energies  to  get  everybody  else 
to  go  out  and  fill  it.  Well,  if  you  can't  do  anything  for  us  in  the 
way  of  recruits  we'll  get  along  with  what  we  have." 

As  soon  as  it  became  evident  that  the  regiment  would  remain 
in  Baltimore  for  the  ensuing  winter,  every  one  began  to  inquire 
what  could  be  clone  to  while  away  the  time.  The  six  companies 
in  Fort  McHenry  began  to  grow  weary  of  the  ceaseless  round  of 
guard  duty,  though  by  way  of  variety  squads  of  men  were  detailed 
for  some  special  duty  for  a  short  time  outside  in  the  city,  or  in 
its  suburbs.  But  whether  here  or  there  everything  went  on 
monotonously,  like  clock-work,  every  man  knowing  his  duty  and 
doing  it  almost  mechanically.  To  relieve  the-  monotony  of  fort- 
life,  the  idea  suggested  itself  to  some  of  the  married  men,  the  of 
ficers  especially,  that  they  have  their  wives  with  them  to  be  initi 
ated  into  the  ways  of  the  soldiers'  life,  and  engage  once  more  in 
the  business  of  mending  their  husbands'  clothes.  "If  we  can't 
get  one  kind  of  recruits,"  said  they,  "we  can  another,''  and  every 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  37 


company  received  its  full  quota  of  these  new  recruits.  Some  of 
whom,  however,  deserted  soon  afterwards  and  returned  to  the  old 
home.  The  soldier's  life  was  a  little  too  rough  for  them  and 
they  were  not  anxious  to  enlist  for  a  longer  term  of  service. 
These  visitants  were  welcome  "comrades"  while  they  remained, 
and  their  presence  was  a  mutual  benefit  and  pleasure  in  the 
camp.  Ordinarily,  however,  the  army  is  no  place  for  women, 
though  the  "women  of  the  war,"  as  nurses  in  the  hospitals,  were 
angels  of  mercy  to  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and  will  always  be 
remembered  with  the  deepest  gratitude  and  affection. 

The  writer  remembers  one  hospital  where  it  was  the  practice 
for  the  women  of  the  town  (Frederick  city,  Md.)  to  visit  the  sick 
soldiers  every  afternoon  at  four  o'clock,  to  converse  with  and  bring 
them  such  home  comforts  as  the  surgeons  would  allow.  Their 
visits  were  always  looked  for  with  warmest  interest,  and  if  by 
chance  one  of  them  failed  to  go  her  usual  round,  the  absence  was 
noted  and  was  a  source  of  sorrow  and  anxiety.  In  one  instance 
a  young  soldier,  a  mere  lad,  was  found  weeping,  and  to  a  visitor 
who  asked  the  reason  of  his  distress,  he  said  that  the  lady  who 
usually  visited  him  at  such  an  hour  every  day  had  not  come,  and 
he  missed  her  presence  and  sympathy.  She  reminded  him  so 
much  of  his  sister.  The  Eighteenth  at  Fort  Me  Henry  did  not 
need  this  kind  of  assistance,  for  the  regiment  generally  was  in  ex 
cellent  health  and  spirits,  yet  friends  from  home  were  always 
welcome.  Months  afterward,  when  the  officers  and  men  were 
suffering  and  starving  in  Libby  and  Belle  Isle  prisons,  what 
would  they  not  have  given  for  the  home-like  comforts  of  their 
stay  in  Baltimore  and  the  kind  attentions  bestowed  by  the  loyal 
men  and  women  of  that  city. 

The  Eighteenth  boys  seemed  to  be  especially  successful  in 
engaging  the  warm  regard  of  the  Baltimoreans,  and  while  it  is  true 
that  what  was  a  source  of  pleasure  and  profit  to  some  was  a  door 
of  temptation  to  others,  still  many  true  friends  were  found  in 
that  city  who  will  always  be  remembered  with  the  deepest  inter 
est  and  pleasure.  God  bless  them. 


38  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  routine  of  garrison  duty  was  far  from  being"  so  enjoyable 
as  most  of  the  men  had  anticipated  and  various  expedients  were 
adopted  to  relieve  the  monotony  of  Fort  Me  Henry.  One  method 
of  killing  time  was  to  get  leave  of  absence  to  visit  the  city,  see 
the  sights,  and  hear  the  news.  On  these  trips  many  pleasant 
acquaintances  were  formed  and  patriotic  families  of  Baltimore 
sent  special  invitations  to  officers  and  men  to  share  their  hospi 
tality  and  kind  attentions.  At  such  meetings  the  singing  of  patri 
otic  songs  was  a  favorite  amusement,  and  the  (orclans,  of  Company 
H,  became  especially  famous  for  their  singing  concerts.  At  one 
social  entertainment,  where  the  Jordans  appeared,  the  house  was 
decked  with  flags,  and  the  stars  and  stripes  met  the  gaze  on 
every  side,  while  songs  and  cheers  mingled  in  delightful  accord. 
''America,"  ''Star  spangled  banner,"  and  especially,  "Hoist  up  the 
flag"  were  sung  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  citizens  from 
whom  repeated  invitations  were  received  that  these  pleasant  oc 
casions  might  be  repeated.  On  one  afternoon,  just  preceding  a 
proposed  concert,  a  member  of  the  "singing  band"  presented 
himself  before  his  commander  with  the  request  that  he  might 
"go  over  to  the  city"  for  the  evening,  but  was  detained  on  the 
ground  that  requests  were  becoming  too  frequent.  "Well,  1  shall 
go  to  the  colonel,"  was  the  response.  Not  many  moments  later 
a  tall,  spare  man,  with  sandy  whiskers,  stood  in  the  presence  of 
the  colonel  repeating  his  request.  "Where  do  you  wish  to  go?" 
asked  the  latter.  "Oh,  to  a  house  down  town  to  have  a  sing 
and  a  good  time  generally,"  was  the  reply.  "How  long  do  you 
want  to  stay?"  "Until  nine  o'clock,"  was  the  response.  The  col 
onel  wrote  a  pass  and  on  handing  it  to  the  soldier  said,  "I  shall 
let  you  stay  until  ten  o'clock,  and  I  am  going  with  you."  This 
result,  it  is  needless  to  say,  gave  great  satisfaction,  and  if  the 
boys  staid  later  than  usual  that  night  it  was  because  they  had 
the  authority  with  them.  In  recollection  of  these  delightful  in 
cidents  it  will  not  seem  surprising  that  the  survivors  of  the  Vir 
ginia  campaigns  cherish  grateful  memories  of  the  true  and  loyal 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  39 


citizens  of  the  monumental  city,  while  at  the  same  time  they  can 
not  forget  the  hatred  and  disgust  which  the  disloyal  ladies  mani 
fested  toward  all  Union  soldiers.  It  was  pitiful,  as  well  as  amus 
ing,  sometimes  to  witness  their  display  of  concern;  to  see  them 
cross  the  street,  or  turn  a  corner  in  order  to  avoid  passing  under 
the  old  Mag;  as  they  daintily  lifted  their  skirts  as  though  it  would 
be  a  lasting  disgrace  to  come  in  contact  with  the  men  who  stood 
by  the  stars  and  stripes.  The  haughty  air  and  disdainful  look 
indicated  that  the  presence  of  the  Yankee  soldier  was  anything 
but  welcome  in  the  streets  of  Baltimore. 

When  the  rebels  determined  on  a  separate  government,  the 
plea  being  that  the  North  had  violated  the  Constitution,  and 
therefore  was  the  aggressor,  they  committed  a  fatal  error  for 
their  cause  that  they  did  not  continue  to  carry  the  American 
flag.  But  in  contempt  of  the  North,  and  its  free  institu 
tions,  they  trampled  the  old  banner  in  the  dust,  and  at  once  for 
feited  all  claim  to  be  considered  the  national  party,  making  open 
war  upon  the  Constitution  itself.  Thus  it  is  true  that  there  were 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  men  North  and  West  who 
sympathized  with  the  South  in  its  view  of  slavery  and  the  right 
to  an  equal  portion  of  the  states  and  territories  to  propagate 
the  doctrine  that  "The  black  man  had  no  right  which  white  men 
were  bound  to  respect,"  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  these  same 
men  would  have  fought  much  more  willingly  for  the  South  than 
the  North  if  the  former  had  maintained  the  right  to  the  old 
flag,  and  commenced  the  war  under  its  protecting  folds.  Had 
this  been  done  it  is  a  question  perhaps  whether  there  would 
have  been  any  soldiers  in  the  Northern  army  called  war 
Democrats,  who  could  not  turn  traitors  to  their  national  flag,  or 
join  hands  with  those  who  had  abandoned  it  and  raised  the 
openly  rebelliously  stars  and  bars.  Indeed  it  seemed  in  the 
eyes  of  these  men  a  great  crime  in  itself  to  repudiate  the  stars 
and  stripes;  and  it  was  mainly  said  universal  devotion  to  the  flag 
that  caused  those  public  demonstrations  that  so  much  annoyed 


40  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


and  discomfited  the  rebels  who  were   obliged  to  live  within    the 
Union  lines. 

It  is  undeniable  that  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1862  and  1863 
the  city  of  Baltimore  was  only  kept  to  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  by  Union  bayonets.  The  rebels  were  continually  restive 
and  impatient  for  an  opportunity  to  free  themselves  from  the 
power  of  their  masters,  knowing  which  the  Union  soldiers  em 
braced  every  favorable  occasion  to  testify  their  devotion  to  the 
flag  which  the  rebel  city  despised  and  hated.  Therefore  a  bat 
tle  of  words  was  constantly  going  on  in  which  hatred  of  and  love 
for  the  Union  were  displayed  with  equal  passion  and  sincerity. 
The  members  of  the  Eighteenth  will  recall  many  of  these 
discussions  with  interest,  and  not  soon  forget  how  their  oppo 
nents  chafed  and  fumed  as -they  were  compelled  to  listen  to  Union 
sentiments,  and  patriotic  songs.  It  was  ludicrous  at  times  to 
witness  their  demonstrations  of  displeasure  as  the  boys  sung 
"Rally  round  the  flag,"  "Old  John  Brown,"  and  other  stirring 
Northern  songs. 

It  was  such  hearty  enthusiasm  for  the  old  flag  that  discom 
fited  and  discouraged  the  rebels  of  Baltimore;  while  no  corres 
ponding  sentiment  could  be  elicited  from  the  rebels  for  their 
worthless  rag.  Their  stars  and  bars  had  no  inspiring  histori 
cal  incidents  to  give  faint:  and  prestige.  It  was  not  like  the  Union 
banner,  the  symbol  of  universal  liberty  and  equality.  It  was  not 
their  fathers'  flag.  It  was  not  the  flag  of  Washington  and  Jeffer 
son  and  Jackson  of  heroic  and  civil  fame.  Well  we  remember  a 
year  later  how  quickly  the  eyes  of  old  Southern  men  and  women 
filled  with  tears  at  the  sight  of  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  their 
lips  quivered  when  they  spoke  of  the  Union  as  it  was.  One  old 
man  said  with  trembling  emphasis  that  he  "Remonstrated  with 
his  rebel  neighbors  for  a  long  time,  and  plainly  told  them  they 
were  committing  a  great  mistake  in  fighting  against  the  flag  of 
their  country."  And  so  indeed  they  did.  Many  felt  and  acknowl 
edged  the  wrong,  well  knowing  that  power  was  on  the  side  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  41 


the  Union  soldiers  who  inspired  each  other  with  courage  and  en 
durance  as  they  sang  paeans  to  the  "star  spangled  banner." 

A  stranger  visiting  the  camp  of  the  Eighteenth  at  about  this 
period  would  have  been  favorably  impressed  with  the  general 
good  feeling  and  spirit  of  the  men,  who  seemed  bound  to  make 
the  best  of  the  situation  in  spite  of  the  inconveniences  and  hard 
ships  of  their  novel  life.  During  each  day  various  duties  and 
amusements  came  along  in  their  order,  or  out  of  order,  just  as  it 
happened,  and  our  visitors  often  remarked:  "These  soldiers  are 
jolly  fellows  after  all  and  they  know  how  to  accommodate  them 
selves  to  enjoy  themselves."  To  such  remarks  the  reply  was: 
"My  friend,  just  stay  and  spend  the  evening  with  us  if  you  want 
to  see  the  Eighteenth  in  its  happiest  mood." 

The  climate  of  "Maryland,  my  Maryland"  seemed  peculiar 
to  a  Northern  man;  even  its  finest  September  days  end  in 
chills  and  damps.  But  the  boys  in  their  tents  are  quite  at 
ease  and  happy.  About  two  hours  ago  the  mails  were  distributed, 
bearing  "good  news  from  home,"  generally,  and  all  are  in  the 
best  of  spirits.  Now  they  are  in  for  some  music.  What  shall 
we  call  it?  A  grand  concert,  closing  up  with  an  universal  medley. 
But  we  must  call  on  the  Norwich  Bulletin's  old  correspondent 
(Ike)  for  a  truthful  and  graphic  description  of  the  scene.  He 
writes,  under  the  date  of  September  3Oth,  1862,  as  follows:  "Per 
haps  we  don't  have  any  music  in  this  camp.  Step  in  among  us 
some  night,  and  see  if  we  don't.  As  I  sit  in  my  tent  writing  this 
in  the  edge  of  the  evening  let  me  try  to  pick  out  the  kind  and 
classes  of  music  that  rise  in  chaotic  fragments  from  the  camp. 

"From  Capt.  Bates'  company's  street,  away  out  there  on  the  left, 
a  blended  harmony,  produced  by  the  upper  part  of  the  street 
singing  'Rock  of  ages,'  while  the  lower  half  are  'putting  in' 
with  'Wait  for  the  wagons,'  floats  over  me;  next  on  their  right, 
Lieut.  Matthewson's  company  are  singing  'John  Brown's  body, 
by  snatches,  and  'There'll  be  no  more  sorrow  there,"  with  energy. 
Capt.  Bowen's  boys  add  to  the  volume  the  touching  strains  of 


42  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

'Old  dog  Tray/  mixed  up  with  'Joyfully,  joyfully,'  etc.  The 
street  in  front  of  me  (Company  C)  swells  the  chorus  with  three 
or  four  different  kinds  of  music,  including  one  Jews-harp  and  three 
fifes.  Capt.  Hakes'  fellows  are  uproariously  jolly;  between  the 
bars  of  music,  sacred,  sentimental,  humorous,  and  patriotic,  I  catch 
the  rasping  of  the  cat-gut  in  the  'Devil's  dream/  and  'Fishers' 
hornpipe/  and  the  loved  'cross  over/  'right  and  left/  'ladies 
grand  change/  with  which  they  are  making  their  camp-life  pleas 
ant.  From  the  extreme  right  wing  comes  the  strains  of  'March 
ing  along/  sung  by  the  Greeneville  Glee  Club,  in  Company  A. 
A  straggling  squad,  promiscuously  gathered,  are  being  entertained 
over  in  the  rear  by  the  quartermaster's  boy  "Spanny,"  who  imi 
tates  very  naturally  all  sorts  of  animals  that  make  unearthly 
noises.  There  is  an  occasional  howl  of  a  dog,  of  which  not  less 
than  a  thousand  live,  move,  and  have  a  being  within  the  fort 
grounds;  a  squeal  of  rat,  of  which  there  are  millions  in  camp, 
fattening  on  what  the  soldiers  waste,  while  over  all  comes  the 
shrill  voice  of  the  sentry  on  the  sea-wall  shouting  in  tones  that 
speak  feelingly  of  a  pain  in  the  stomach,  'Corporal  of  the  guard 
number  twenty-three;'  and  there  is  the  bugle,  and  with  the  officers 
call  which  it  sounds  I  close  the  catalogue  of  harmonies,  and  go 
and  see  what  is  wanted.  Perhaps  you  can  gather  from  my  poor 
attempt  to  sift  out  the  tunes  and  sounds  from  this  hopperful  of 
melody  that  we  are  not  as  a  general  thing  disposed  to  melan 
choly  in  the  Eighteenth.  These  moonlight  evenings  are  won 
derful  exhilarators.  No  matter  what  the  duties  of  the  day  have 
been,  however  severe  or  fatiguing,  the  moonlight  'drives  dull 
care  away/ and  with  song,  dance,  joke,  and  fun  the  evening  hours 
run  merrily  away." 

Thus  ended  the  grand  concert,  and  all  are  well  pleased  with 
the  evening's  entertainment.  Similar  scenes  will  be  recalled  by 
many  members  of  the  Eighteenth  with  unfeigned  pleasure  as 
giving  the  "sunny  side"  of  the  soldier's  life. 

Allusion  has  been  made  to  the  "Greeneville  Glee  Club,"  a  full 


CONNECTICUT   VOLUNTEERS.  43 


history  of  which  would  be  very  entertaining.  It  was  composed 
of  some  of  the  best  men  and  singers  in  the  regiment,  whose  per 
formances  always  did  them  great  credit  and  attracted  a  crowd, 
and  if  we  mistake  not  were  very  popular  with  the  loyal  citizens 
of  Baltimore.  We  regret  that  no  member  of  the  "club"  has 
written  us  with  reference  to  its  formation,  giving  the  names  of  its 
members,  and  a  full  account  of  its  attractive  concerts.  One  of 
the  members,  "Spanny,"  (a  Spaniard)  was  a  peculiar  specimen,  a 
general  favorite  among  the  officers  as  a  servant,  and  who  afford 
ed  no  little  amusement  to  the  regiment  generally.  Capt.  Hakes' 
"Spanny"  deserves  a  special  notice,  and  reference  may  be  made 
to  him  again  in  connection  with  the  first  Winchester  campaign. 

Sometimes  the  entertainments  assumed  a  serio-comic  character. 
For  instance,  the  boys  will  remember  that  serious  affair  on  Fed 
eral  Hill,  two  miles  from  Fort  McHenry,in  which  several  officers 
of  the  post  were  detailed  to  act  on  a  court  of  inquiry  over  a 
horse  which  departed  this  life  suddenly.  The  question  was, 
whether  his  death  was  owing  to  natural  causes,  or  to  the  whip 
and  spur  of  the  orderly  who  had  ridden  him  the  day  previous. 
Colonels,  majors  and  captains  visited  the  stall  and  gravely  inves 
tigated  the  matter  and  at  last  came  to  this  profound  conclusion: 
"Firstly,  this  is  a  dead  horse;  secondly,  his  death  is  nobody's 
fault  but  his  own;  thirdly,  it  is  ordered  that  he  be  suitably  buried; 
fourthly,  this  dead  horse  must  be  charged  to  profit  and  loss  in  all 
the  books  of  the  department."  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the 
findings  of  the  court  were  perfectly  satisfactory,  but  it  is  not 
known  whether  the  case  was  reported  to  the  war  department  at 
Washington  or  not.  Some  of  our  readers  will  recall  other  inci 
dents  of  a  character  both  grave  and  gay,  producing  demonstration 
corresponding  with  each. 

In  the  meantime  the  regiment  was  being  perfected  in  drill,  and 
its  attitude  elicited  frank  commendations  from  Gen.  Morris,  who 
said,  on  one  occasion,  that  he  had  never  seen  any  regiment  of  the 
same  length  of  time  in  the  field  make  so  fine  an  appearance. 


44  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Gen.  Morris  had  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  strictest  dis 
ciplinarians;  when  he  complimented  a  soldier  his  words  were  ap 
preciated,  and  not  unnaturally  the  men  were  highly  elated  by  his 
expressions.  The  health  of  the  regiment  continued  excellent, 
and  a  finer  looking  body  of  men  are  rarely  seen.  An  efiort  was 
made  at  this  time  to  recall  the  four  companies  from  up  the  road, 
as  the  railroad  people  were  so  much  pleased  with  those  already 
employed  that  they  wished  to  have  the  whole  regiment  similarly 
engaged,  with  headquarters  at  Havre-de-Grace.  The  effort, 
however,  did  not  succeed,  and  the  six  companies  settled  down  in 
a  great  measure  contented,  or  in  patient  waiting  for  orders  to 
move  in  any  direction. 

The  last  of  September  found  six  companies  of  the  Eighteenth 
still  at  Fort  McHenry  rapidly  gaining  in  military  tactics  gen 
erally,  and  feeling  considerable  confidence,  if  not  a  little  pride  in 
itself,  when  it  was  apparent  that  in  no  respect  did  it  suffer  in 
comparison  with  other  regiments  in  the  vicinity. 

Gen.  Morris'  complimentary  remarks  were  reported  by  Col. 
Ely  at  dress  parade  to  the  boys,  and  they  were  received  with  evi 
dent  satisfaction  and  communicated  with  not  a  little  pride  to 
their  friends  at  home. 

Col.  Ely  had  felt  from  the  first  some  disappointment  in  hav 
ing  his  regiment  divided  and  more  so  at  this  time,  as  the  com 
panies  up  the  road  were  deprived  of  the  advantage  of  dress 
parade  and  the  daily  field  service.  At  dress  parade,  especially,  it 
was  very  desirable  to  have  the  whole  regiment  in  line  for  the 
best  effect.  Under  such  circumstances  the  command  would  have 
made  a  fine  appearance — the  ranks  being  nearly  full,  the  men 
equipped  in  their  best  style,  with  white  gloves,  clean  and  shining 
muskets  and  everything  else  to  match.  But  every  attempt  to 
have  the  four  companies  recalled  was  ineffectual,  the  railroad  not 
only  opposing  it  but  making  a  special  effort  to  have  the  whole 
regiment  posted  on  the  line  between  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia, 
and  immediate  vicinity,  for  the  protection  of  property,  with  head- 


Major  JOSEPH  MATHEWSON. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  45 


quarters  at  Havre-de-Grace.  This  was  proof  enough  that  the 
regiment  was  acquiring  a  good  reputation  for  fidelity  and  effi 
ciency  and  that  its  service  was  appreciated. 

About  the  middle  of  October  an  incident  occurred  at  Fort 
McHenry  which  for  a  time  caused  no  little  excitement.  Reference 
has  already,  been  made  to  the  fact  that  after  the  battles  of  South 
Mountain  and  Antietam  a  large  number  of  rebel  prisoners—some 
sick  and  wounded,  some  able-bodied,  some  officers  and  privates- 
were  brought  to  Fort  McHenry,  and  were  placed  under  the  sur 
veillance  of  Union  soldiers.  The  Eighteenth  had  its  full  share 
of  this  number.  Of  course  the  presence  of  so  many  rebel  pris 
oners  gave  a  new  interest  to  the  daily  duties,  and  abundant  op 
portunities  also  to  become  acquainted  with  the  character  of 
the  men  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  rebel  service.  It  furnished 
occasion  too  for  the  rebels  of  Baltimore  to  show  their  sympathy 
for  the  Rebellion,  and  they  were  not  wanting  in  a  disposition  to 
give  aid  and  comfort  to  those  who  had  been  fighting  its  battles. 
For  a  few  days  after  the  prisoners  were  brought  in,  the  provost 
marshal's  quarters  were  fairly  besieged,  especially  with  female 
Secessionists  who  had  come  from  the  city  in  carriages  loaded 
with  ''rations"  and  clothing,  shoes  and  blankets.  In  addition  to 
these  articles  there  were  also  brought  gray  uniforms  bearing  the 
stamp  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  This  sympathizing  demon 
stration  raised  a  storm  of  righteous  indignation  among  the  Union 
soldiers,  many  of  whom  had  been  in  the  hospital  sick  and  per 
haps  wounded  for  months  without  seeing  the  face  of  any  Balti- 
morean,  man  or  woman,  to  dispense  to  them  the  luxuries,  or 
even  the  necessaries  of  life.  Many  such  men  had  been  confined 
within  the  walls  of  the  fort,  had  suffered  a  thousand  ills  and  in 
conveniences,  without  being  able  to  obtain  the1  smallest  article  of 
comfort  without  submitting  to  the  tedious  processes  of  red 
tape,  while  these  rebel  prisoners  perhaps  had  shot  down  many 
of  the  Union  soldiers  who  now  were  obliged  to  look  on  and  see 
them  petted,  nursed,  fed  and  clothed,  and  knowing  that  after  a 


46  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


little  time  they  would  be  sent  back  to  the  Confederacy  to  take  up 
arms  again  to  assail  the  Union.  What  made  the  affair  still 
more  galling  was  the  fact  that  these  rebels  sympathizers  were 
acting  under  a  pass  from  Gen.  Wool,  who,  if  the  truth  is  told, 
was  not  very  highly  complimented  for  a  courtesy,  that  while  it  no 
doubt  was  well  intended  was  in  reality  infamously  abused.  The 
correspondent  of  the  Norwich  Bulletin  wrote  of  this  incident,  as 
follows:  "I  confess  that  when  I  remember  how  the  Federal  gov 
ernment  maintains  a  blockade  of  all  the  Southern  ports  and 
guards  with  such  strict  jealousy  all  avenues  of  communication 
with  the  rebel  states,  with  the  object  of  preventing  the  rebel  army 
from  obtaining  provisions  and  clothing;  when  I  thought  how  the 
rebel  Gen.  Stuart  was  at  that  moment  making  a  foray  into  Penn 
sylvania  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  just  what  these  men  were 
receiving  under  the  nose  of  and  by  special  permission  of  an  of 
ficer  in  high  rank  in  our  army;  when  I  considered  too  that  these 
men,  whom  I  knew  from  their  confessions  to  be  sick  of  the  Re 
bellion  and  anxious  above  all  things  to  see  the  end  of  it,  were 
clothed,  fed,  reassured  in  their  faith  in  the  final  success  of  their 
cause,  and  sent  back  strengthened  and  encouraged  to  continue 
the  war  against  us,  by  rebel  sympathizers  in  a  loyal  city;  when 
I  remember  all  these  things  I  confess  that — well,  I  wont  confess 
—except  that  I  could  not  understand  why  Gen.  Stuart  took 
the  trouble  and  risk  (was  there  any?)  of  going  up  into  Pennsyl 
vania  after  blue  uniforms,  so  abundant  here,  and  only  the  farce 
of  being  taken  prisoner  necessary  to  secure  the  plunder  and 
make  a  reconnoissance."  The  next  day  following  their  first  visit 
the  "female  rebels"  made  their  appearance  again  with  carriage 
loads  of  "rebel  stores,"  and  the  labor  of  distribution  began; 
but  to  the  rage  and  disgust  of  these  rebel  quartermasters  the 
Union  convalescents  and  some  of  Eighteenth  made  a  personal 
requisition  on  the  supplies  on  their  own  account,  distributing  two 
grey  uniforms  among  themselves,  and  helping  themselves  to 
shoes  and  other  things  generally. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  47 

Not  satisfied  with  this  booty  it  is  said  they  proceeded  to  give 
the  disloyal  beauties  to  understand  that  their  presents  as  well  as 
their  presence  could  be  dispensed  with  thereafter,  arid  that 
Yankee  jack-knives  could  be  used  to  "whittle"  harness  and  car 
riages  as  well  as  "down-east"  pine  sticks.  It  is  remarked 
that  Gen.  Morris  thereupon  issued  an  order  in  the  Baltimore 
morning  papers,  forbidding  the  issue  of  any  more  army  supplies 
to  the  rebel  prisoners  in  the  fort,  except  through  the  provost 
marshal  of  the  post.  However,  as  far  as  the  practice  went, 
the  boys  reaped  not  a  little  benefit,  and  considerable  fun  from  it. 
Several  Union  soldiers,  who  had  made  requisition  on  the  quar 
termaster  for  shoes  and  clothing,  suddenly  countermanded  their 
orders;  and  though  it  is  not  known  that  they  gave  their  rea 
sons  for  this  proceeding,  it  is  probable  that  it  was  not  neces 
sary.  About  this  time  the  camp  dialogue  took  this  turn:  4tl  say, 
where  did  you  get  those  shoes?  Nice  fit  ain't  they?"  And 
the  reply:  "Ask  those  'secesh'  ladies  who  carry  their  colors  on 
their  bonnets — red  and  white  roses  in  the  front,  with  red  and  white 
trimmings.  No  doubt  they  are  condoling  each  other  on  the 
losses  of  yesterday,  and  their  ill  luck  generally. 

The  manner  of  confiscation  described  above  was  not  exactly 
in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the  post,  but  it  com 
passed  the  end  to  be  attained  perhaps  just  as  well  as  any  other. 
None  could  justly  blame  the  Union  soldiers  for  the  indigna 
tion  they  manifested  over  the  bold  and  provoking  sympathy 
which  these  female  friends  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  mani 
fested  for  men  who  had  shot  down  and  inhumanly  treated 
Union  soldiers;  nor  for  the  appropriation  they  made  of  rebel 
uniforms  and  delicacies.  It  was  extremely  trying  to  bear  the 
taunts  and  scornful  looks  of  the  bitter  enemies  of  the  govern 
ment,  the  protection  of  whose  flag  they  were  receiving,  and 
when  they  abused  this  privilege,  and  openly  and  unblushingly 
showed  their  regard  for  the  rebel  cause  by  giving  it  all  the 
aid  and  comfort  in  their  power,  then  forbearance  ceased  to  be  a 


48  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


virtue  and  summary  vengeance  was  visited  on  the  disloyal 
parties. 

Had  rebel  sympathy  gone  no  farther  than  to  supply  the  im 
mediate  wants  of  the  sick,  wounded  and  needy,  and  held  out 
no  inducements  or  encouragements  to  persist  in  their  opposi 
tion  to  the  Union  cause,  there  would  have  been  no  good  rea 
sons  for  this  decisive  treatment  of  the  rebel  commissaries  of 
Baltimore. 

As  it  was,  Union  sentiment  justified  the  soldiers  and  Gen.  Mor 
ris  attempted  no  punishment  for  the  disposition  that  was  made 
of  the  rebel  uniforms. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  the  day  after  the  Eighteenth 
arrived  in  Baltimore  four  companies  of  the  left  wing  were  or 
dered  up  the  road  toward  Philadelphia  on  special  guard  duty, 
with  headquarters  at  Havre-de-Grace.  These  companies  were 
Capt.  Peale's,  Capt.  Warner's,  Capt.  Knapp's  and  Company 
K;  the  battalion  being  under  the  command  of  Major  Keach, 
who  was  very  popular  with  his  men.  The  necessity  for  such 
a  disposition  of  troops  was  apparent.  The  railroad  and  tele 
graph  communications  had  been  several  times  interrupted,  and 
danger  was  still  imminent.  Maryland  yet  swarmed  with  dis 
loyalists  watching  every  opportunity  to  bring  dishonor  and  ruin 
upon  the  national  cause,  and  but  for  the  vigilance  of  the  gov 
ernment,  this  important  line  of  communication  with  the  North 
would  have  been  seriously,  perhaps  tatally  interrupted.  Hence 
the  Eighteenth  was  doing  excellent  service  for  their  country  in 
the  faithful  discharge  of  this  duty  of  guarding  the  road.  True, 
the  service  was  dull  and  monotonous,  but  it  was  none  the  less 
necessary  and  important. 

Company  K  was  ordered  to  Havre-de-Grace  about  August 
25th,  1862,  and  there  it  remained  nearly  eight  months.  Up  to 
the  first  of  January,  1863,  there  had  been  but  one  death  in  the 
company,  that  of  John  Penry,  of  Killingly,  whose  death  occurred 
on  November  28th,  previous  to  the  time  indicated. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  -49 


No  other  changes  of  special  note  occurred,  except  in  the  de 
sertion  of  Felix  W.  Wilmot,  of  Killingly,  on  December  8th.  The 
general  health  of  the  company  was  good,  the  duties  comparatively 
light  and  on  the  whole  satisfactory.  The  principal  amusements 
were  hunting  and  fishing,  and  these  kept  the  table  well  supplied 
with  a  healthful  variety  of  food.  At  least  there  were  no  com 
plaints  of  short  rations. 

At  first  the  citizens  of  the  place  were  cold  and  reserved — their 
first  acquaintances  with  Union  soldiers  having  been  exceptionally 
unpleasant.  Company  K  had  relieved  a  New  York  regiment 
whose  boisterous  behaviour  had  inspired  such  distrust  that  few 
ladies  dared  to  go  out  into  the  street  after  dark.  It  was  some 
time  before  the  Connecticut  boys  could  commend  themselves  to 
the  "good  graces"  of  the  ladies  at  Havre-de-Grace,  and  they  ac 
complished  it  in  this  way:  By  quiet,  orderly  conduct  when  off 
duty,  regular  attendance  at  church,  and  by  taking  part  in  the 
singing  and  other  exercises  of  the  social  meetings.  Some  of 
them  appeared  in  the  choir;  and  is  it  any  wonder  that  after 
a  time  the  ladies  of  Havre-de-Grace  began  to  think  that  the  sol 
diers  were  at  least  partly  civilized,  and  that  they  began  to  show 
themselves  on  the  street  again.  "Music  has  charms  to  soothe," 
it  is  said,  and  it  was  in  good  part  by  this  charm  that  the  singers 
in  Company  K  conquered  a  peace  with  even  the  disloyal  ladies 
of  Maryland.  After  which  singing  parties  were  organized,  the  boys 
were  invited  to  spend  the  evening,  and  the  time  passed  quickly 
and  pleasantly.  The  boys  retain  many  pleasant  recollections  of 
their  stay  there.  It  must  be  admitted,  however,  that  the  people 
were  not  very  enterprising,  indolence  and  whiskey  drinking  being 
their  prevailing  sins,  and  which  became  more  fatal  to  the  Northern 
ers  than  even  rebel  hate  or  bullets,  as  we  shall  see  hereafter.  Soon 
Company  I,  Capt.  Knapp,  was  ordered  to  Back  River,  about 
five  miles  from  Baltimore,  on  the  railroad,  and  there  it  continued 
about  two  months,  the  location  being  bad  and  unhealthy.  At 
one  time  much  sickness  prevailed  in  the  company,  one-half  of 


-  50  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


the  men  being  ill  of  chills  and  fever.  Private  Charles  H.  Beck- 
with,  of  Norwich,  was  sent  home,  where  he  died  December  ist, 
and  many  others  contracted  diseases  from  which  they  never  fully 
recovered  while  in  the  service.  Capt.  Knapp  was  on  the  sick 
list  and  subsequently  was  obliged  to  resign  and  return  to  Con 
necticut.  That  part  of  the  company  which  escaped  the  fever 
had  pleasant  times,  although  the  duty  was  more  onerous  by 
reason  of  the  large  number  incapacitated  by  sickness.  One  of 
the  pastimes  was  shooting  wild  ducks,  which  were  very  plentiful. 
The  company  had  settled  down  with  a  fair  prospect  of  remaining 
for  a  lengthy  period;  they  had  completed  a  new  house — a  com 
fortable  building — and  the  general  appearance  of  camp  promised 
convenience  and  comfort,  for  a  soldier's  life,  when  the  order  came 
to  move,  as  it  always  does  when  soldiers  get  ready  for  house-keep 
ing,  and  begin  to  enjoy  themselves.  But  the  order  is  imperative, 
and  in  a  brief  space  everything  lies  in  heaps,  is  soon  loaded  up, 
and  Company  I  is  on  the  march  for  Camp  Emory,  near  Baltimore, 
and  perhaps  on  the  whole  not  reluctant  to  get  away  from  the 
low,  marshy,  and  sickly  grounds  of  Back  River. 

Company  F,  Capt.  Peale,  was  stationed  at  Gunpowder  Bridge, 
which  was  an  important  position.  During  the  first  year  of  the 
war  the  rebels  had  succeeded  in  destroying  it,  and  the  rebel 
citizens  were  ready  to  repeat  the  performance  at  the  first  op 
portunity.  One  of  them  said  to  a  member  of  the  Eighteenth 
on  a  certain  occasion:  ''What  would  you  do  with  a  man  if  you 
found  him  disturbing  the  railroad  track  or  telegraph  wires?"  and 
received  this  reply:  "Well,  I  think  we  should  run  him  up  into  one 
of  these  tall  oaks,  and  there  would  not  be  many  words  with  him 
either."  The  rebels  having  thus  ascertained  the  metal  of  Capt. 
Peale  and  his  men  apparently  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it 
would  not  be  proper  to  disturb  Gunpowder  Bridge,  the  railroad 
or  the  telegraph  wires,  unless  they  were  prepared  to  risk  the 
safety  of  their  own  necks.  No  disturbance  whatever  occurred 
and  everything  went  well.  The  location  was  pleasant  and  healthy, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  51 


rations  were  good  and  the  quarters  quite  comfortable.  Up  to 
January,  1863,  there  were  no  deaths,  nor  desertions,  or  any  un 
pleasant  occurrences  worthy  of  mention. 

The  members  of  Company  F  recall  with  much  satisfaction  the 
pleasant  course  of  their  eight  months  stay  at  that  place.  The 
usual  camp  amusements  were  in  vogue,  which  helped  to  "while 
away  the  hours"  and  beguile  the  monotony  of  picket  duty,  drills 
and  dress  parades.  Much  of  the  time,  however,  was  passed  in 
anticipation  of  incidents;  and  the  frequent  passing  trains  of  cars 
crowded  with  passengers  and  soldiers  created  more  or  less  in 
terest  and  diversion. 

Company  G,  Capt.  Warner,  was  stationed  at  Perryville,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Susquehanna,  opposite  Havre-de-Grace.  This 
was  a  low,  dirty  looking  place  and  infested  with  some  of  the  most 
bitter  and  revengeful  Secessionists.  But  there  were  true  and  ar 
dent  Union  people  there  also,  among  whom  the  boys  found 
many  friends  and  passed  many  pleasant  hours.  Nothing  of 
special  interest  transpired  save  that  Second  Lieut.  Luther  E. 
Rawson,  of  Woodstock,  resigned  December  22cl;  private  Stiles 
Rawson  died  December  3d;  Corporal  Charles  A.  Bosworth 
died  December  27th,  and  private  John  Riley,  of  \Voodstock,  was 
discharged  for  disability  December  22d.  There  were  no  deser 
tions  to  record.  The  company  generally  were  in  good  health 
and  as  well  pleased  with  their  fare  and  accommodations  as  could 
be  expected.  The  usual  pastimes,  such  as  hunting,  boating  and 
fishing  were  enjoyed  with  a  zest.  If  the  neighbors'  pastures  or 
hen-roosts  ever  suffered  loss  it  was  by  the  consent  of  the  owners 
thereof  by  way  of  compensation.  It  is  believed  that  in  this  re 
spect  all  the  Eighteenth  boys  gave  general  satisfaction  to  the  loyal 
families  on  the  line  of  the  road,  and  this  may  account  for  the 
fact  that  special  effort  was  made  to  retain  their  services  in  this 
department.  The  commanders  of  the  companies  are  deserving 
of  especial  honor  for  the  good  order  which  they  maintained,  and 
the  respect  that  was  shown  to  the  rights  of  loyal  citizens.  While 


52  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


we  do  not  pretend  to  say  that  known  Secessionists  fared  as  well 
in  every  respect  as  did  the  loyalists,  we  will  venture  the  assertion 
that  they  were  treated  fully  as  well  as  they  deserved. 

Taking,  leave  of  the  four  companies,  whose  location  has  been 
given,  in  their  quiet  and  comfortable  quarters  up  the  road,  we  re 
turn  to  Baltimore  to  find  the  six  companies  at  Fort  McHenry 
about  to  change  their  quarters.  Two  months  have  been  passed 
at  this  place,  and  on  some  accounts  the  boys  are  quite  willing 
to  leave  it. 

There  has  been  a  decided  change  in  the  appearance  of  Fort 
McHenry  and  in  its  surroundings.  The  grassy  slopes  are  no 
longer  fresh  and  green,  the  delightful  sea  breeze  has  given  place 
to  raw,  chilly  winds  from  the  bay,  and  the  summer  showers, 
cool  and  refreshing,  are  succeeded  by  autumn  rains.  It  was 
then  for  th  first  time  that  the  Connecticut  man  was  furnished  a 
correct  idea  of  the  nature  of  Maryland  mud,  the  stickiest  and 
deepest  they  had  ever  seen.  Thus  the  disagreeable  weather 
of  the  coming  \vinter,in  connection  with  the  close  confinement, 
monotonous  and  irksome  duties  to  which  they  had  been  sub 
jected,  inspired  these  companies  with  jubilant  feelings  over  their 
approaching  departure.  The  order  having  come  to  leave  on  the 
joth  of  October,  the  previous  night  was  spent  in  getting  ready  to 
move.  All  through  the  camp  fires  blazed  high  and  hot,  consum 
ing  boxes,  floors,  and  articles  of  camp  furniture  which  not  being 
portable  the  boys  used  in  celebrating  their  exodus  from  the  fort, 
and  making  themselves  comfortable  and  merry.  There  was 
singing,  dancing,  speech-making,  fun  and  frolic,  and  the  whole 
camp  was  in  merry  uproar  over  the  novel  experience  of  a  "first 
move."  Next  day  came,  the  order  to  "fall  in"  was  obeyed  with 
unusual  alacrity,  and  the  Eighteenth  was  soon  marching  in  high 
glee  through  the  city  toward  Fort  Marshall. 

The  march  through  Baltimore  was  an  ovation  and  attended 
with  enjoyable  excitement.  Whenever  the  companies  halted  the 
citizens  came  around  them  in  crowds;  warm-hearted  Union  people 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  53 


brought  out  refreshments  from  their  houses  and  bestowed  every 
possible  attention.  Even  the  Secessionists  treated  the  troops 
with  respect  and  expressed  admiration  of  their  noble  bearing 
and  soldierly  qualities.  It  is  related  that  one  of  this  class  brought 
out  a  barrel  of  apples  and  distributed  them  among  the  men,  at  the 
same  time  remarking  that  if  every  regiment  from  the  North  was 
like  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut,  Maryland  would  soon  be 
thoroughly  Union.  The  apples,  however,  were  not  quite  sound, 
and  many  of  them  were  rotten  to  the  core — a  fair  symbol,  the  sol 
diers  thought  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  Those  that  were  good 
were  soon  pocketed,  and  the  boys  marched  on  elated  with  the 
pleasant  incidents  by  the  way.  It  was  nearly  night  when  they 
reached  Fort  Marshall,  but  instead  of  entering  the  barracks,  as  at 
first  intended,  they  pitched  their  tents  directly  in  front  of  the 
works  at  Camp  Emory.  On  the  same  night  the  regiment  was 
brigaded  with  the  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  New  York,  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Littlejohn,  in  Gen.  Emory's  division,  from 
whom  their  camp  derived  its  name.  Every  man  made  himself  as 
comfortable  as  his  means  and  circumstances  would  allow.  Fort 
Marshall  was  one  of  the  most  important  defenses  of  Baltimore. 
It  was  a  new  earth-work  erected  after  the  war  began,  and  its  trims 
were  so  planted  as  to  sweep  the  streets  of  the  city  as  well  as 
other  directions.  The  position  was  such  that  the  city  rebels 
knew  well  what  to  expect  in  the  event  of  a  rising  against  Union 
soldiers,  as  had  been  the  case  when  the  Sixth  Massachusetts 
passed  through  a  year  before.  The  situation  was  as  beautiful  as 
it  was  commanding,  being  the  highest  point  of  land  in  the  vicin 
ity  and  furnishing  a  magnificent  view  of  the  city  and  country  for 
five  or  six  miles  around.  The  bay  presented  a  delightful  prospect, 
often  dotted  with  sailing  vessels  and  steamers  passing  to  and 
from  the  harbor;  Fort  Me  Henry  was  nearly  opposite  in  full 
view,  and  Federal  Hill  showed  finely  a  short  distance  in  an 
opposite  direction. 

As  a  whole  the   situation   was  charming  and  the  change  was 


54  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


more  than  satisfactory  to  both  officers  and  privates — all  cherished 
pleasing  anticipations  in  respect  to  the  future.  It  promised  also 
to  be  a  healthy  position.  For  a  week  or  two  previous  to  the 
removal  there  had  been  considerable  sickness  in  camp;  colds 
and  fever  had  prevailed  to  some  extent,  and  there  were  several 
cases  of  jaundice,  a  disease  which,  as  a  correspondent  says,  "Caused 
the  faces  of  some  to  beam  with  the  hues  of  sunset,  and  the  roots 
of  their  hair  to  glitter  with  a  color  that  would  have  set  a  gold 
digger  to  prospecting  with  confidence."  The  sensations  of  those 
thus  diseased  are  described  as  intolerable,  and  are  thus  suggested 
by  Bromley  in  a  Norwich  letter.  It  was  his  first  Sunday  at  Camp 
Emory.  "I  can  only  say  that  all  of  that  horrible  Sunday  I  lay  in 
my  blankets  in  my  tent  with  the  wind  and  rain  howling  and  pat 
tering  outside,  and  an  occasional  stream  of  water  trickling  down 
my  canvas  walls  and  running  round  me;  looking  through  the 
yellowest  pair  of  eyes  that  ever  hung  out  as  a  wrecked  liver's 
signal  of  distress,  at  the  war,  the  country,  the  Eighteenth  Regi 
ment  and  its  camp,  and  I  leave  you  to  imagine  the  rest." 

The  day  after  the  arrival  at  Camp  Emory  Company  A,  Capt. 
Davis,  was  sent  down  on  the  eastern  shore  to  Upper  Marlboro',  a 
little  "secesh"  den,  where  a  guard  was  necessary  to  keep  the 
citizens  informed  as  to  who  was  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  how  many  stars  and  stripes  there  were  on  the  old  flag.  They 
started  on  Sunday  morning,  conveyed  on  the  cars  as  far  as  Bla- 
densburg,  five  or  six  miles  this  side  of  Washington,  where  they 
procured  transportation;  thence  marching  about  twenty  miles  to 
their  destination.  No  sooner  had  Capt.  Davis  arrived  there  than  an 
order  was  received  from  headquarters  to  return  to  Baltimore. 
It  proved  that  the  order  for  the  expedition  was  a  mistake  and 
that  the  company  should  not  have  been  sent  there  at  all.  The 
trip,  however,  was  an  agreeable  change  from  the  monotony  at 
Fort  McHenry,  and  gave  the  boys  a  fine  opportunity  to  view  the 
country,  and  test  the  metal  of  the  citizens  along  the  route  as  de 
veloping  their  Union  or  Secession  tendencies.  And,  moreover, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  55 


it  afforded  them  an  opportunity  to  enjoy  a  passing  view  of 
Washington. 

The  boys  made  preparations  to  return  at  once  and  marched 
directly  for  the  capital,  where  they  boarded  the  cars  for  Balti 
more,  arriving  at  that  city  at  about  seven  o'clock  on  Wednesday 
evening  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  but  not  without  loss  to  the 
enemy,  although  it  is  not  known  that  any  great  sensation  was 
produced  throughout  the  country  on  this  account.  One  incident 
of  the  trip,  however,  must  not  be  omitted,  as  it  serves  to  show 
what  a  band  of  valiant  men  will  do  for  their  country  when  the 
danger  becomes  imminent;  and,  furthermore,  decidedly  indicated 
what  would  have  been  the  fate  of  the  Secessionists  of  the  eastern 
shore  had  they  been  as  imprudent  and  reckless  as  was  the  un 
fortunate  victim  of  Federal  bayonets  in  this  case.  We  give  the 
account  verbatim,  as  related  by  an  eye  witness,  as  showing  of 
what  immense  importance  the  affair  was  to  the  welfare  of  the 
country.  Says  the  narrator:  "The  only  incident  of  the  march  was 
the  sudden  death  of  a  pig  who  ran  against  a  bayonet  on  the 
march  from  Marlboro  back.  He  died  so  suddenly  that  the  soldiers 
roasted  him  to  keep  him  from  spoiling." 

As  rebels  had  often  reported  that  the  Yankees  were  canni 
bals  and  would  eat  up  the  poor  whites  and  even  the  niggers,  so 
when  the  citizens  saw  the  fate  of  the  pig  all  became  quiet  at  once 
on  the  eastern  shore,  and  Company  A  returned  in  triumph  to 
headquarters. 

At  the  same  time  that  Company  A  returned  from  their  scout  to 
Marlboro,  Companies  E,  H  and  D  were  ordered  up  the  road — E 
to  Perryville,  D  to  Stemmers  Run  and  H  to  Charleston,  about 
four  miles  east  of  Perryville.  A  detachment  of  Company  H  was 
sent  to  Conewingo  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  twelve 
miles  above  Havre-de-Grace,  and  placed  under  the  command  of 
Lieut.  Locke.  Conewingo  was  a  pleasant  and  healthy  location 
and  the  detachment  remained  there  through  the  fall  and  winter, 
on  good  terms  with  the  citizens,  assisting  them  in  making  their 


56  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


cider,  in  drinking  it  as  long  as  it  was  sweet,  and  in  making  them 
selves  useful  generally.  Nothing  of  special  note  occurred  save 
that  the  boys  displayed  their  valor  at  Thanksgiving  in  slaughter 
ing  the  chickens  for  a  Yankee  dinner  at  the  same  time  that  their 
friends  at  home  were  feasting  on  roast  turkeys  and  the  historic 
pumpkin  pie. 

We  do  not  intend,  however,  to  convey  the  impression  that  the 
boys  robbed  the  citizens'  hen-roosts  for  their  booty;  to  be  sure 
they  did  no  such  thing,  but  went  out  among  the  farmers  with 
money  in  hand,  bought  their  eggs  and  chickens,  and  then  engaged 
a  sweet  looking  Maryland  housewife  to  make  and  cook  their  pie 
with  the  other  things  to  match.  While  at  the  appointed  time 
they  sat  down  to  their  Thanksgiving  repast,  which  was  served  up 
in  their  own  house.  Whether  they  had  a  plum  pudding  or  not  is 
not  positively  known,  but  they  had  a  jolly  good  time  even  if  they 
could  not  sing  at  the  close  the  song  of  "Little  Jack  Horner." 
And  by  the  way,  Thanksgiving  was  well  observed  all  along  the 
road,  and  at  Fort  Marshall,  many  of  the  boys  having  received 
boxes  from  home  containing  turkeys,  chickens,  mince  pies,  plum 
puddings,  cake,  jellies,  and  a  host  of  other  good  things.  In  some 
places  the  boxes  were  piled  as  high  as  the  head  and  every-one  had 
a  feast.  It  would  hardly  do  to  state  positively  that  there  were 
wines  at  the  feast,  but  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  there  were,  even 
if  nothing  stronger  was  brought  forth.  The  home  "rations" 
were  highly  enjoyed,  tender  allusions  were  frequently  made 
concerning  the  "loved  ones"  there,  and  many  a  thought  sug 
gested  itself  of  the  "good  time  coming,"  when  the  war  would  be 
over  and  the  soldiers  would  be  "marching  home." 

Company  E  found  the  citizens  of  Perry ville,as  already  indicated, 
rebel  to  the  back  bone  and  one  prominent  citizen,  who  had  been 
a  judge  in  Baltimore,  was  suspected  of  rendering  aid  and  com 
fort  to  the  Confederacy,  though  he  had  managed  to  obtain  a  gov 
ernment  contract  for  mules.  He  was  closely  watched.  Company 
D  was  pleasantly  situated  at  Stemmers  Run,  occupying  a  dwell- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  57 


ing  house  for  their  quarters  a  portion  of  the  time,  and  camping 
in  tents  the  remainder.  The  duty  was  comparatively  easy  and  if 
the  boys  had  one  thing  to  complain  of  more  than  another  it  was 
dull  times.  By  many  Perryville  was  voted  a  lonesome  place,  and 
the  company  were  glad  when  the  order  came  to  remove  to  Balti 
more. 

Company  H  did  not.  tarry  long  at  Charleston  but  returned 
toward  Baltimore  to  Chase's  Station,  fourteen  miles  from  the  city. 
While  here  an  exciting  event  occurred  which  at  first  it  was 
thought  would  end  in  a  fight.  The  company  had  been  at  Chase's 
about  two  weeks,  when  on  Sunday  afternoon  one  of  the  men 
discovered  that  contraband  goods  were  stored  in  a  point  of  land 
running  out  into  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  were  in  charge  of  a  rebel 
guard.  On  the  reception  of  this  intelligence  the  greatest  ex 
citement  was  aroused,  and  an  order  was  at  once  issued  for  twenty- 
five  men  to  "fall  in."  The  men  were  anxious  to  go,  all  of  them, 
it  being  the  first  expedition  of  the  kind  since  they  had  entered 
the  service.  The  lines  were  instantly  formed,  muskets  loaded, 
the  order  was  given,  right  face,  forward,  double  quick,  and  away 
the  boys  went  down  the  hill  and  over  the  railroad,  and  then 
charged  into  the  woods  where  the  conflict  was  expected,  but  there 
was  no  fight.  The  enemy  had  precipitately  fled,  leaving  the  forti 
fication — a  little  hovel — to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Yankees 
with  all  its  goods  and  stores.  A  guard  was  immediately  placed 
over  the  hovel  and  the  remainder  of  the  squad  went  scouting 
through  the  surrounding  country  in  search  ot  the  owners  of  the 
goods.  Only  one  capture  was  made,  that  of  a  negress,  who  fled 
down  a  lane  in  the  greatest  fear  and  consternation  as  the  Yankees 
approached,  it  being  generally  understood  that  the  Northern  sol 
diers  would  kill  every  person  they  met,  and  perhaps  eat  them. 
The  ridiculous  scene  will  not  soon  be  forgotten — the  colored  lady 
fleeing  at  her  highest  rate  of  speed,  and  a  doughty  lieutenant 
pursuing  in  hot  haste.  For  a  time  the  result  was  somewhat 
doubtful,  though  the  result  was,  we  believe,  that  the  colored  pe- 


5 8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


destrian  was  at  length  run  down  and  bodily  made  a  prisoner  of 
war.  No  information  was  gained  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the 
owners  of  the  contraband  goods. 

The  goods  captured  in  this  raid  were  mostly  envelopes,  writ 
ing  paper,  and  some  exceedingly  valuable  cotton  machinery.  A 
day  later  all  this  property  would  have  been  sent  South,  out  of 
the  reach  of  the  United  States  government,  by  the  way  of  the 
underground  railroad  and  the  Potomac.  On  the  whole,  the  ex- 

o 

pedition  was  both  an  exciting  and  profitable  one;  it  gave  the 
rebels  in  the  vicinity  a  wholesome  fright  and  was  a  warning  to  the 
conductors  of  the  underground  railroad  that  they  must  run  their 
trains  with  more  secrecy  if  they  expected  them  to  reach  their 
destination.  It  is  believed,  moreover,  that  after  this  the  trains 
were  hauled  off  and  Company  H  became  master  of  the  situa 
tion. 

Company  G  was  posted  at  Bush  River  bridge,  about  half  way 
between  Baltimore  and  Havre-de-Grace.  This  bridge  was  about 
one  mile  in  length,  and  was  erected  in  place  of  one  the  rebels  had 
destroyed  in  the  first  year  of  the  war,  and  was  a  pleasant  and  desir 
able  locality,  more  so  than  any  other  on  the  road,  the  camp  being 
on  high  ground  and  overlooking  a  fine  country  landscape.  Not  far 
away  were  good  hunting  grounds  to  which  the  men  made 
frequent  visits,  and  from  which  the  table  of  Company  G  was  often 
replenished  with  savory  meats  of  great  varieties.  There  was 
also  good  fishing  near  by  and  the  sport  was  both  enjoyable  and 
profitable.  There  were  plenty  of  rebels  too,  and  they  were  closely 
watched  for  it  was  evident  they  were  ready  to  do  any  mischief  to 
the  Union  cause  as  soon  as  opportunity  offered.  There  were 
also  good  Union  men  and  their  kind  attentions  were  in  delight 
ful  contrast  to  the  cold  and  sullen  demeanor  of  their  disloyal 
neighbors. 

One  of  the  latter  class,  who  lived  about  four  miles  away,  had 
given  ample  proof  of  his  attachment  to  the  government  by  send 
ing  several  sons  to  the  Union  army.  Capt.  Warner  maintained 


CONNECTICUT   VOLUNTEERS.  59 


good  order  in  his  command,  and  it  is  said  effectually  enforced 
the  Maine  law  in  the  vicinity,  greatly  to  the  discomfort  of  many 
people  There  were  no  deaths,  discharges,  nor  desertions  in  this 
company  to  report  while  they  were  at  this  post. 

Private  Stephen  H.  Oatley,  of  East  Killingly,  who  lost  a  finger 
by  the  accidental  discharge  of  his  musket,  was  the  only  man  in 
jured  while  the  company  was  on  duty  at  this  place. 

In  the  meantime  the  three  companies,  A,  B  and  C,  remaining 
at  Fort  Marshall  were  enjoying  themselves  in  their  new  camp 
better  than  at  any  time  since  leaving  their  native  State.  Guard 
duties  were  light,  the  encampment  being  small,  and  the  soldiers 
were  no  longer  confined  within  the  narrow  limits  of  a  parade 
ground  for  morning  drill  as  at  Fort  Me  Henry.  They  could 
march  through  the  woods,  along  the  shores,  across  the  lots  or  in 
any  direction  they  pleased.  This  larger  freedom  was  highly  ap 
preciated  both  by  officers  and  privates.  At  one  time  all  the 
companies  marched  out  to  Back  River,  five  miles,  to  visit  Capt. 
Knapp's  command,  and  the  trip  was  highly  enjoyed  by  all.  In 
one  instance  a  few  members  of  Company  B  took  rather  too  much 
license,  wandered  off,  and  at  last  returned  to  camp  under 
guard,  were  marched  off  to  the  guard-house,  but  were  soon  re 
turned  to  their  quarters. 

In  connection  with  these  pleasant  trips  into  the  country,  the 
boys  derived  much  pleasure  from  skirmish  drill,  an  exercise  which 
was  commenced  about  this  time.  The  novelty  of  the  practice 
excited  much  interest  and  the  men  gave  promise  of  excelling  in  this 
department  of  the  service.  Thus  passed  the  months  of  Novem 
ber  and  December. 

About  the  ist  of  November  Company  I  was  ordered  from 
Back  River  to  Fort  Marshall  and  there  it  remained  nearly  two 
months.  Just  before  the  order  came  the  company  had  fitted  up 
excellent  winter  quarters  in  a  new  building,  and  the  change  was 
something  of  a  disappointment.  Company  B  was  sent  to  relieve 
Company  I  at  Back  River,  and  about  "the  same  time  Company 


60  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


G,  at  Bush  River,  was  relieved  by  Company  A.  These  changes 
were  not  generally  agreeable,  but  were  submitted  to  with  as 
good  a  grace  as  possible.  Up  to" this  date  the  following  deaths 
and  dismissals  are  noted: 

Company  A — Horatio  Burdick  died  October  iQth.  Company 
B — Altiery  K.  Matthews,  of  Killingly,  discharged  October  1 2th; 
Amasa  Houghton,  October  i3th,  and  William  H.  Austin,  De 
cember  24th. 

Company  C — Myron  W.  Robinson,  of  Lebanon,  discharged 
and  enlisted  in  United  States  army  November  i6th;  Thomas  C. 
Brockway,  of  Norwich,  discharged  for  disability  December 
23d.  Other  changes  noticed  elsewhere. 

Company  D — Elisha  K.  Robbins,  of  Eastford,  discharged 
and  enlisted  in  United  States  army  October  i4th;  Prescot  P. 
Curtiss,  of  Thompson,  discharged  for  disability  October  28th. 

Company  E — Joel  Burdick,  of  Norwich,  discharged  August 
26th;  Michael  Staubly,  of  Norwich,  deserted  August  26th;  Reu 
ben  P.  Douglass,  of  Colchester,  discharged  for  disability  Decem 
ber  22d.  It  was  stated  elsewhere  that  Douglass  was  the  oldest 
enlisted  man  in  the  regiment,  though  this  was  denied  by  Abner 
F.  Bacon,  Company  B,  of  Killingly,  who  claimed  this  honor. 
Both  men  were  upwards  of  fifty  years  of  age  and  each  gave  noble 
testimonial  of  unselfish  patriotism  and  courage.  George  W. 
Rathbun.  of  Salem,  discharged  for  disability  December  23d; 
Sergeant  Francis  McKeag,  of  Norwich,  promoted  to  second  lieu 
tenant  December  26th.  At  the  same  time  Capt.  Isaac  W.  Hakes, 
of  Norwich,  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health;  in  whom  the  com 
pany  lost  a  good  officer,  earnest  and  indefatigable  in  the  forma 
tion  of  his  company,  and  in  gaining  the  respect  of  his  men.  The 
necessity  for  his  resignation  was  universally  regretted.  The 
changes  in  Company  G  have  been  noticed  elsewhere. 

Company  I — Private  William  Wallace,  of  Norwich,  deserted 
August  22d — the  first  desertion  in  the  regiment  and  on  the  very 
day  it  left  the  State;  William  Peter,  of  Norwich,  followed  the  ex 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  61 


ample  of  Wallace,  August  3Oth,  at  Fort  McHenry;  Herman 
Hills,  of  Norwich,  deserted  at  the  same  time;  William  Hays, 
of  Norwich,  deserted  December  i6th.  Desertions  seemed  to  be 
quite  popular  among  the  " Williams'.'  of  this  company.  J nelson 
T.  Carpenter,  of  Mansfield,  discharged  for  disability  December 
23d;  Benjamin  Linton,  ofGriswold,  discharged  December  2  jth. 
It  will  be  seen  that  but  few  changes  transpired  in  the  regiment 
for  the  first  four  months,  while  in  Baltimore  and  vicinity.  In 
nearly  all  cases  of  death  the  remains  were  sent  home  to  the 
friends  of  the  deceased,  and  the  expenses  generally  defrayed  by 
the  respective  companies. 

January  ist,  1863,  found  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut,  except 
ing  Companies  C,  G  and  I,  in  comfortable  winter  quarters  in  the 
places  already  indicated.  The  general  health  of  the  regiment 
was  good  the  duty  was  not  excessively  hard,  the  rations  were 
satisfactory,  and  everything  pointed  to  a  season  of  compara 
tive  ease  and  quietude.  All  was  quiet  along  the  Potomac.  About 
the  only  incidents  that  indicated  any  immediate  danger  to  the 
Union  lines  were  the  occasional  raids  of  Stuart's  famous  cavalry. 
It  was  about  the  last  of  December  that  a  report  gained  credence 
that  Stuart  contemplated  a  descent  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad  and  accordingly  on  the  3Oth,  Companies  C,  G  and  I, 
with  a  detachment  from  other  regiments,  numbering  in  all  about 
fifteen  hundred  men,  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Ely,  and  ordered  up  the  railroad  toward  Frederick  city.  On  the 
afternoon  of  that  day,  preparation  was  made  for  three  days' 
"light  marching  orders,"  and  at  dark  everything  was  ready.  In  a 
driving  storm  the  companies  marched  through  the  city  to  the 
depot  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  were  packed  into  old 
freight  cars,  and  hurried  oft  in  the  direction  where  the  trouble 
was  expected.  Not  later  than  three  o'clock  the  next  morning  the 
cars  halted  at  a  place  called  Mount  Airy,  and  Company  I  was 
left  on  guard  there  while  Companies  C  and  G  were  taken  to 
Monrovia  Station,  ten  miles  further  on  and  sixty  miles  from 


62  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Baltimore.  There  possession  was  first  taken  of  some  old  sheds, 
pickets  were  thrown  out,  and  all  went  to  work  to  make  themselves 
as  comfortable  as  possible.  The  night  was  bitter  cold,  and  the 
men  did  not  hesitate  to  "borrow"  rails,  straw,  corn-fodder,  and 
anything  that  would  help  them  to  keep  warm.  Next  day  the 
command  took  possession  of  a  (Quaker  meeting-house  near  by, 
and  the  sheds  adjoining— an  act  which  was  not  particularly  pleas 
ing  to  the  "Friends"  though  of  course  they  didn't  resist.  In  the 
meantime  the  rain  had  changed  to  hail  and  snow,  making  it  ex 
tremely  unpleasant  and  uncomfortable.  Several  of  the  men  were 
taken  sick  and  sent  back  to  Baltimore  during  the  day.  Rumors 
were  rife  that  the  rebels  were  near,  and  often  fancy  saw  a  coming 
toe  in  the  distance  which  soon  resolved  itself  into  trees  or  rail 
fences. 

At  night  orders  were  given  to  lay  on  arms  and  be  ready  at  a 
moment's  warning.  The  boys  had  been  asleep  scarcely  two 
hours  when  the  order  was  given,  "fall  in  at  double  quick," 
and  in  a  moment  every  man  was  at  his  post  and  ready  for- 
action. 

But  it  was  a  false  alarm,  and  after  standing  in  line  a  few  mo 
ments  the  order  came  to  "break  ranks"  and  the  men  returned  to 
their  quarters.  Col.  Ely  complimented  the  men  for  the  prompt 
ness  and  rapidity  of  the  movement,  which,  however,  was  thought 
to  have  been  prompted  by  a  desire  to  test  the  readiness  of  the 
companies  in  obeying  orders. 

On  the  morning  of  January  ist  a  report  was  brought  in  that  two 
of  the  pickets  were  missing.  Of  course  it  was  believed  they  had 
been  "gobbled  up"  by  the  rebels,  and  for  a  little  time  the  excitement 
was  great.  A  proposition  was  advanced  to  go  in  hot  pursuit, 
but  this  plan  was  soon  abandoned  after  a  logical  argument  by 
Capt.  Bromley,  who  assured  his  auditors,  who  gave  the  closest 
attention  during  the  delivery  of  his  speech,  that  "If  the  men  had 
been  captured  there  was  no  use  in  pursuing  them,  for  was  it  not 
known  that  Stuart's  cavalry  were  cannibals,  who  devoured  their 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  63 


prisoners,  leaving  nothing  but  their  buttons.  The  buttons,"  he 
suggested — if  the  place  could  be  discovered  where  the  rebels  took 
their  breakfast — "might  be  found  and  sent  to  their  friends,  and 
would  undoubtedly  be  a  great  consolation  to  them;  for,"  said  he, 
feelingly  and  with  much  emphasis,  "Stuart's  cavalry,  when  they 
eat  Yankees,  always  spit  out  their  buttons." 

Whether  this  proposed  disposition  of  the  matter  was  the  fruit 
of  profound  wisdom  as  a  military  chieftain,  or  as  an  experienced 
editor  of  a  newspaper,  is  wholly  immaterial  so  long  as  the  boys 
seemed  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  question  was  settled  beyond 
a  doubt.  The  missing  pickets,  however,  soon  returned,  "buttons 
and  all,"  having  found  friends  instead  of  enemies,  and  in  place  of 
being  eaten  had  themselves  eaten  a  sumptuous  breakfast  at  the 
house  of  a  Union  farmer  not  far  away.  Under  the  circumstances 
there  is  no  doubt  that  both  companies  would  have  been  greatly 
pleased  to  have  been  taken  prisoners  in  the  same  manner.  Warm, 
home-like  breakfasts  were  a  rarity  in  those  times  that  were  highly 
appreciated. 

At  Mount  Airy,  Company  I  had  various  experiences,  being 
left  about  a  half  mile  above  the  depot,  near  a  high  embankment, 
in  a  strange  country,  and  so  intensely  dark  that  there  was  nothing 
to  do  but  to  wait  for  daylight.  Capt.  Knapp  rolled  himself  up 
in  his  blankets,  and  slept  about  an  hour,  when  he  awoke  nearly 
frozen  and  found  his  men  trying  to  make  themselves  comfortable 
by  a  large  fire.  "Ed.  Spalding"  handed  him  a  cup  of  coffee  "red 
hot,"  which  with  the  fire  outside  finally  warmed  him  up.  Some 
of  the  company  struck  off  in  the  dark,  found  farm  houses,  gained 
admission,  and  took  comfortable  possession.  Almost  every 
family  in  the  place  were  rebels,  but  Capt.  Knapp  discovered 
one  Union  man  who  fully  acquainted  him  with  the  situation 
and  pointed  out  a  large  barn  near  by  which  the  command 
could  confiscate  for  a  short  time  for  military  purposes.  The 
owner  was  seen  and  the  inquiry  made  if  he  would  clean 
it  out  for  the  Yankees.  He  was  disinclined  to  comply.  "Very 


64  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


well,"  replied  Capt.  Knapp,  "I  will  do  it  for  you  as  I  have  plenty 
of  help."  The  rebel  thereupon  took  the  hint  and  despatched 
about  a  dozen  negroes  to  remove  the  hay  and  straw,  and  after 
the  work  had  been  completed  Company  I  "moved  in."  The 
captain  told  the  boys  that  they  must  have  a  stove.  Some  of 
them,  in  a  short  ramble,  had  already  discovered  one  in  a  black 
smith's  shop,  about  two  miles  away.  A  hand-car  near  by  was  at 
once  appropriated  to  convey  the  stove  to  headquarters.  The 
situation  soon  assumed  a  pleasanter  aspect,  the  floor  having 
been  covered  about  one  foot  thick  with  clean  straw,  making 
a  soft  bed  for  the  night.  The  next  morning  Capt.  Knapp 
had  four  invitations  to  breakfast,  the  citizens  having  concluded 
that  it  would  be  for  their  interest  to  show  every  attention  to 
the  Union  boys  and  especially  to  the  officers.  While  Company 
I  was  getting  along  so  satisfactorily  that  New-Year's  morning, 
Company  C  and  G  were  undergoing  another  little  excitement. 
A  picket  had  discovered  some  cavalry  on  the  road,  whereupon 
he  had  fired  his  gun  and  run  for  the  post,  leaving  his  com 
rades  "fast  asleep."  The  companies  were  hurried  into  line  of 
battle  and  thus  they  awaited  the  onset.  At  last  the  detachment 
made  its  appearance,  but  proved  to  be  friends  with  a  dispatch 
for  Col.  Ely  that  he  return  with  his  command  to  Baltimore.  The 
deserted  sentinels  slept  calmly  through  the  entire  proceeding. 
The  evening  of  the  same  day  found  Company  C  at  Fort 
Marshall  again,  and  Companies  I  and  G  in  camp  near  Stewart's 
woods,  at  the  termination  of  West  Baltimore  Street.  The  trip 
on  the  whole  had  been  novel  and  exciting  and  the  source  of  no 
little  merriment  to  all  who  participated  in  its  varied  scenes. 
It  was  the  most  active  service  these  companies  had  seen,  and 
looked  a  little  more  like  war  than  anything  they  had  encoun 
tered  before.  Companies  I  and  G  remained  at  Stewart's  woods 
about  two  months,  and  while  there  an  incident  occurred  which 
nearly  resulted  in  the  death  of  a  Union  soldier,  a  member  of 
Battery  L,  United  States  artillery,  attached  to  the  same  com- 


Surgeon,    CKAS.  M.  CARLETON. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  05 


mand,  under  Maj.  Chalfin.  Some  of  the  roughs  of  this  battery 
had  long  been  boasting  that  they  could  run  the  guard  of  the 
countrymen-soldiers  and  no  picket  could  prevent  them.  Thus  it 
happened  that  one  night  a  sergeant  of  the  battery  named,  who 
was  on  his  way  from  the  city  intoxicated,  attempted  to  cross 
the  beat  of  private  Daniel  Donahue,  who  promptly  challenged 
him  and  demanded  the  countersign.  The  sergeant  could  not,  or 
would  not  give  it,  and  attempted  to  run  the  guard.  Donahue 
immediately  charged  upon  him  and  in  the  scuffle  that  ensued  the 
sergeant  was  shot — the  contents  of  Donahue's  musket,  consisting  of 
a  Minie-ball,  and  wooden  gun-plug  two  and  one  half  inches  in 
length,  passing  completely  through  his  body.  He  was  pronounced 
mortally  wounded  by  the  surgeon,  but  he  lived  and  finally  recov 
ered.  Donahue  was  immediately  promoted  for  the  fearless 
manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  duty,  and  thereafter  Battery 
L  obeyed  orders,  though  coming  from  a  guard  of  "countrymen- 
soldiers." 

After  the  raid  up  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  road,  the  Eighteenth 
was  employed  in  the  same  manner  as  before  at  Fort  Marshall, 
and  "up  the  road"  duty  was  not  very  hard.  The  boys  found  much 
of  interest  and  pleasure  to  render  their  situation  tolerable  if  not 
altogether  desirable.  The  chapel  services  at  the  fort  were  well 
attended,  for  a  while  at  least,  and  more  or  less  religious  interest 
was  manifested.  Chaplain  Cooper  furnished  the  chapel  with 
singing  books  from  the  avails  of  one  of  his  lectures  in  the  city. 

"Our  life,"  says  a  correspondent,  writing  from  Fort  Marshall, 
"was  rather  monotonous,  but  still  we  enjoyed  it  better  than  we 
expected,  as  we  had  greater  privileges  and  more  liberty  than  had 
been  allowed  in  Fort  McHenry.  We  had  a  debating  society  and 
singing  school;  the  latter  under  the  direction  of  Albert  C. 
Green,  assisted  by  several  musicians,  and  which  was  held  in 
the  chapel  tent."  Altogether  these  exercises  were  of  service  to 
all  who  enjoyed  them  and  are  remembered  with  interest  and 
satisfaction. 


66  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  same  correspondent  gives  the  following  graphic  description 
of  Company  C's  h'rst  fight,  in  which  he  writes:  "As  our  trip  to 
Monrovia  may  be  regarded  as  the  first  active  service  we  had 
experienced,  so  may  Fort  Marshall  be  noted  as  the  place  where 
we  first  bled  for  our  country. 

"Company  C  occupied  barracks  under  the  fort.  One  night,  no 
sooner  had  taps  sounded  and  lights  were  out  than  the  foe  was 
upon  us;  not  singly  nor  in  pairs,  but  in  multitudes  and  droves. 
Countless  as  the  stars,  innumerable  as  the  forest  leaves  and 
blood-thirsty  as  the  gallinippers  that  inhabit  the  swamps  of 
Florida. 

"We  were  attacked  in  front  and  in  rear,  and  being  completely 
surrounded  found  it  impossible  to  retreat  and  impossible  to  at 
tempt  a  flank  movement.  We,  therefore,  determined  to  fight;  and 
fight  we  did  with  every  conceivable  weapon  that  could  be  brought 
to  bear.  We  fought  with  fire  and  gunpowder,  red-hot  ram-rods 
and  bayonets.  Men  plunged  fearlessly  into  every  cranny  and 
crack. 

"Myriads  of  the  highly  perfumed  varmints  were  slain.  Still  we 
fought  on  determined  to  conquer,  but  the  contest  was  an  un 
equal  one.  The  reinforcements  of  the  enemy  were  larger  than 
ours  and  we  were  at  last  forced  to  succumb.  Some  of  the  men 
were  badly  demoralized,  particularly  one  of  the  musicians  (Gager) 
who,  after  being  driven  from  bunk  to  bunk  and  from  one  end  of 
the  barracks  to  the  other,  was  forced  to  entrench  himself  upon 
one  end  of  a  long  table  where  he  was  comparatively  free  from  the 
assaults  of  the  rebels." 

It  is  believed  that  other  companies  were  subjected  to  frequent 
attacks  from  the  same  inveterate  foes  of  the  Yankees,  and  that 
they  fought  with  equal  bravery  and  pertinacity  as  did  Company 
C  on  the  memorable  occasion  referred  to,  but  we  are  compelled 
to  say  with  no  greater  success. 

Other  incidents  were  frequent  during  raids,  though  unattended 
by  special  danger  to  life  or  limb,  which  resulted  in  no  little  loss  to 
commissary  and  quartermaster's  department. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  67 


At  Havre-de-Grace  life  with  Company  K  kept  the  even  tenor 
of  its  way.  All  was  quiet  on  the  Susquehanna  until  Christmas, 
when  there  was  a  period  of  no  little  excitement.  Boxes  of  good 
things  had  arrived  that  morning  from  loved  ones  at  home,  the 
contents  of  which  did  much  towards  perfecting  the  enjoyments 
of  the  day.  It  was  a  holiday  indeed;  the  boys  had  become 
hungry  for  home  food,  and  the  "movement"  by  which  turkeys, 
chickens,  pies,  and  cakes  of  various  descriptions  disappeared  was 
quicker  than  ''double-quick."  At  the  same  time  the  kind-hearted 
ladies  of  Havre-de-Grace  perfected  a  fine  entertainment  for  the 
inmates  of  the  soldiers'  hospital,  in  which  a  long  table,  loaded 
with  turkeys,  chickens,  ducks,  roast  pork,  pies,  and  cakes  of  various 
kinds,  with  a  dessert  of  apples,  almonds  and  candy,  was  prepared 
for  the  patients.  Everything  was  furnished  in  profusion  and  ex 
cellent  taste,  and  the  spread  was  highly  appreciated  by  those  in 
whose  interest  it  was  provided.  Among  the  principal  ladies  who 
were  the  authors  of  this  pleasant  entertainment,  the  names  of 
Mrs.  Tropnal,  Wells,  McCarkey,  Mitchell,  and  the  two  Misses 
Mitchell  appear,  and  will  always  be  remembered  with  gratitude 
by  the  inmates  of  the  hospital  and  the  members  of  Com 
pany  K. 

Another  incident  occurred  about  this  time  of  a  more  startling 
character,  but  \ve  are  disposed  to  allow  a  correspondent  of  the 
Windham  County  Transcript  to  tell  the  story: 

"A  Mr.  Taylor,  of  Sterling,  came  out  on  a  visit  to  his  two  sons 
in  this  company  accompanied  by  a  Miss  Philena  Ladd,  a  young 
lady  of  their  acquaintance.  It  so  happened  that  the  old  gen 
tleman,  William  A.  Taylor,  one  of  his  boys,  the  young  lady, 
and  our  chaplain  were  all  in  a  room  together,  and  the  conse 
quence  was  that  before  the  party  broke  up  it  was  acknowledged 
that 

Whoever  says  our  chaplain's  bad 

Is  nothing  but  a  railer; 
Into  that  room  she  went  a  Ladd; 
He  brought  her  out  a — Taylor. 


68  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  next  evening  the  bridegroom  came  down  to  'his  tent  with  a 
pail  full  of  good  cider,  and  a  large  pan  of  apples,  flanked  with  a 
bunch  of  cigars,  and  these,  mixed  with  singing,  extempore 
speeches,  toasts,  etc.,  caused  the  evening  to  pass  quickly  and 
pleasantly.  For  the  newly  wedded  pair  we  wish  a  long  life  and  a 
happy  one,  and  may  their  children  be  like  the  blessings  of  God- 
neither  few  nor  small." 

We  turn  from  this  pleasant  occurrence  to  record  one  of  a  sad 
and  painful  character.  On  December  26th  Sergeant  Walter 
Young,  while  on  his  way  back  from  the  ferry  boat  to  his  quarters, 
was  shot  in  the  leg  by  the  reckless  sentinel  on  guard,  who  was 
under  the  influence  of  liquor,  and  who  afterward  admitted  with 
tears  that  there  was  no  reason  for  his  act.  The  wounded  man 
lived  only  about  two  weeks.  Sergeant  Young  was  an  estimable  and 
faithful  soldier,  highly  esteemed  by  his  comrades  and  his  untimely 
death  cast  a  gloom  over  the  spirits  of  the  whole  company.  His 
body  was  sent  home  to  friends  in  Killingly  for  burial  and  subse 
quently  the  following  resolutions  were  passed  by  his  company: 

"Whereas,  unwelcome  death  has  visited  our  company  and  by  a 
most  calamitous  accident  taken  from  us  our  highly  esteemed 
comrade,  Sergeant  Walter  Young,  we  have,  as  our  feelings 
prompted,  unanimously  adopted  the  following  resolutions: 

"Resolved,  that  in  the  death  of  Sergeant  Walter  Young  we 
have  lost  a  kind  and  genial  comrade,  a  favorite  among  all,  while 
the  service  has  lost  a  brave  and  judicious  soldier,  who  had  proved 
himself  equal  to  any  trust  or  emergency. 

"Resolved,  that  his  fortitude  under  severest  suffering,  and  his 
calmness  in  view  of  death,  are  convincing  proofs  that  his  was  the 
highest  type  of  moral  courage  and  Christian  faith. 

"Resolved,  that  we  extend  to  the  bereaved  wife  and  children  our 
profound  sympathy  and  regard.  Their  sorrow  will  be  deep  and 
long,  but  He  who  for  wise  purposes  ordered  the  affliction  has 
promised  to  be  the  husband  of  the  widow,  and  a  father  to  the 
fatherless. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  69 


"Resolved,  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  presented  to  the 
estimable  wife  of  our  lamented  comrade,  and  that  a  copy  also  be 
furnished  to  the  Windham  County  Transcript." 

A  correspondent  of  Company  B  endeavors  to  have  it  appear 
that  the  company  was  quite  successful  in  a  battle  with  the  (rat) 
rebels  at  Back  River  and  avers  that  a  terrible  slaughter  was 
made  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy;  that  in  the  space  of  two  hours 
the  number  of  the  slain  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five,  weighing  one  pound  apiece,  and  when  placed  in  line 
measured  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  feet.  We  cheerfully 
make  the  record.  "Honor  to  whom  honor,"  etc. 

To  many  readers  these  laughable  incidents  may  seem  light 
and  trifling,  and  hardly  worthy  a  place  in  history;  nevertheless 
they  are  a  part  of  the  experiences  of  the  soldier,  almost  indispen 
sable  in  the  "hum-drum"  monotony  which  is  always  the  pest  of 
military  life.  Company  B  had  many  pleasant  experiences  at 
Back  River  during  the  winter,  though  the  health  of  the  company 
was  not  so  good  as  at  Fort  Me  Henry,  the  chief  sickness  being  colds, 
which  were  common  in  all  the  companies  on  the  line  of  the  road 
and  at  Fort  Marshall. 

Considerable  religious  interest  prevailed  for  a  time.  Meetings 
were  held  in  the  barracks  every  Sabbath  evening,  and  the  mem 
bers  of  the  company  at  liberty  attended  and  showed  interest  in- 
the  exercises  of  singing,  prayer  and  exhortations  by  their  com 
rades.  As  the  chaplain  spent  most  of  his  time  at  Baltimore, 
Lieut.  E.  D.  Carpenter  conducted  the  services  with  ability  and 
evident  satisfaction  to  all.  The  morale  of  the  company  was 
good  and  under  the  vigilant  care  of  Capt.  Bates,  a  model  disci 
plinarian,  great  proficiency  was  made  in  the  practical  knowledge 
of  the  tactics.  The  presence  of  Maj.  Keach  too,  who  visited 
camp  generally  every  week,  was  always  greeted  with  evident 
pleasure.  A  correspondent  says  of  him  that  "He  was  a  good  and 
kind  officer  and  all  the  men  in  the  regiment  respect  him  and  have 
unbounded  confidence  in  him." 


70  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


It  is  the  universal  testimony  that  all  the  companies  along  the 
road  were  under  excellent  discipline  at  this  time,  a  fact  that  speaks 
well  for  the  character  of  their  respective  commanders  and  co-or 
dinates.  Company  D,  especially,  won  "golden  opinions"  at  Stem- 
mers  Run.  On  the  6th  of  January,  when  the  company  was  or 
dered  to  report  at  Fort  Marshall,  the  inhabitants  expressed  deep 
regret  at  their  departure.  One  of  them  saying  as  they  left  the 
Run:  "I'm  sorry  to  have  you  leave;  you  behaved  finely,  disturbed 
none;  and  are  the  best  company  ever  at  this  station."  A 
few  days  before  they  left,  a  man  called  Colonel  Slater,  genial  in 
his  address  and  his  professions  plausible,  who  lived  about  seven 
miles  distant,  drove  up  to  the  company's  quarters  and  presented 
Capt.  Joseph  Matthewson  with  a  fine  pair  of  ducks.  This 
was  the  same  man,  however,  on  whose  premises  Company  H  (as 
before  stated)  captured  twenty-four  cases  of  contraband  goods, 
consisting  of  various  articles  fur  the  use  of  rebels,  to  aid  them  in 
carrying  on  the  war  against  the  Union.  It  is  possible  that  under  the 
labors  of  Capt.  Bowen  he  became  a  convert  to  the  cause,  if  not 
willingly  yet  by  constraint;  and  his  polite  attentions  at  this  time 
may  be  considered  the  evidence  of  his  conversion.  Company  H, 
with  D,  repaired  to  Fort  Marshall  on  the  gth  of  the  month, 
and  were  quartered  in  barracks;  )et  both  companies  longed  for 
their  old  quarters  which  were  more  comfortable. 

At  this  time  Col.  Ely  had  Companies  C,  D  and  H  under  his 
immediate  command  gat  Fort  Marshall;  also  a  detachment  of  the 
Fifth  New  York  artillery  and  a  regiment  of  New  York  infantry. 
About  the  last  of  this  month  a  dreary  rain  storm  of  several  days' 
duration  came  on  and  the  men  on  guard  fully  realized  the 
miseries  of  a  Southern  winter. 

Company  F,  at  Perry ville,  had  a  little  excitement  at  about  the 
same  time.  At  this  place  the  rebel  spirit  was  still  rampant,  and  one 
night  a  sentinel  of  Company  E  was  knocked  down  at  his  post, 
choked  and  left  for  dead,  where  he  was  found  by  the  next  relief 
guard.  Two  men  named  Brown  and  Price  were  arrested  and 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  71 

thrown  into  the  guard  house  on  suspicion  that  they  were  con 
nected  with  the  outrage;  but  the  facts  did  not  come  out.  About 
February  ist  the  weather  was  reported  as  colder  than  at  any 
other  time  during  the  winter,  and  not  after  were  the  sentinels 
found  asleep  on  duty  as  they  had  to  keep  in  a  brisk  motion  to 
prevent  being  frozen,  to  promote  digestion,  and  free  circulation 
of  the  blood.  After  a  few  days,  however,  the  weather  moder 
ated,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  was  comparatively  pleas 
ant. 

The  routine  of  drill  and  guard  duty  continued  at  Fort  Marshall; 
the  only  variety  in  the  former  being  the  march  through  the 
streets  of  Baltimore  for  the  purpose  of  reminding  the  city  rebels 
that  their  masters  were  not  far  away.  The  chapel  tent  remained 
open.  Meetings  were  held  in  it  on  Sunday  and  Thursday  eve 
nings  by  the  chaplain.  A  debating  club  met  on  Wednesday 
evening,  and  on  Friday  a  union  bible  class.  At  all  these  times  this 
tent  was  open  to  the  members  of  the  different  companies  as  a  read 
ing  room,  and  which  was  supplied  with  tables  and  seats  for  such 
as  wished  to  write  away  from  the  noise  of  the  barracks.  This 
privilege  was  highly  appreciated  by  many.  Surgeon  Carleton, 
who  had  been  for  sometime  at  Havre-de-Grace,  was  ordered 
to  this  post,  and  Surgeon  Hough  took  his  place.  Two  companies 
of  the  Fifth  New  York  artillery  went  on  the  4th,  leaving  only  six 
companies  on  duty,  and  thus  the  amount  of  service  was  increased 
for  each  company. 

On  February  i2th  Governor  Buckingham  visited  Companies  I 
and  G  at  Stuart's  woods  and  received  a  warm  welcome.  At  eight 
o'clock  the  next  day  he  visited  the  fort,  and  received  a  salute  from 
the  guard,  after  which  he  invited  the  boys  to  shake  hands  with 
him,  for  said  he:  "You  are  all  my  boys."  The  boys  were  not  slow 
in  accepting  the  invitation.  After  a  short  address  to  the  new 
guard,  at  guard  mounting,  he  visited  the  hospital. 

Governor  Buckingham's  visit  was  gratifying  to  the  whole 
regiment  and  a  pleasure  and  an  encouragement.  It  was  timely; 


72  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMEN7 


it  revived  the  spirits  of  the  boys  who  had  become  discontented 
with  their  hum-drum  life,  and  the  governor  was  hailed  everywhere 
with  great  enthusiasm.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  the  regiment  to 
know  that  he  was  even  passing  by  on  the  cars,  and  most  heartily 
did  they  cheer  the  trains.  They  felt  that  he  was  the  soldier's 
friend  and  would  do  all  in  his  power  for  their  comfort  and  en 
couragement. 

On  February  loth  a  correspondent  of  the  regiment  wrote:  "Gov 
ernor  Buckingham  has  the  sympathy  of  the  soldiers,"  and,  in 
view  of  the  fact  of  his  being  a  candidate  for  re-election,  he  adds, 
"and  were  they  not  unjustly  disfranchised  he  would  have  their 
votes.  He  is  the  soldier's  friend,  and  all  he  could  do  for  them, 
and  for  the  honor  of  his*  State,  he  has  done;  no  deeper  stain  can 
fall  on  the  yet  unsullied  honor  of  the  State  than  his  defeat."  Pol 
itics  ran  high  in  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  from  this  time  until 
after  the  first  Monday  in  April  following;  nearly  every  man  in  the 
regiment  manifesting  the  deepest  interest  in  the  result. 

Subsequently  meetings  were  held,  stirring  speeches  made, 
earnest  resolutions  passed,  and  the  canvass  was  earnest  and  lively. 
Letters  by  the  score  were  forwarded  to  the  papers  and  to  friends 
in  Eastern  Connecticut  urging  the  friends  of  the  general  govern 
ment  to  arouse  and  see  to  it  that  Buckingham  was  re-elected  by 
a  rousing  majority.  "May  the  time  never  come,"  wrote  one,  "when 
the  people  of  Connecticut  shall  show  by  their  votes  that  they  fail 
to  appreciate  his  noble  and  patriotic  endeavors  to  assist  in  putting- 
down  this  wicked  Rebellion."  These  words  convey  an  idea  of  the 
feeling  that  was  manifested  in  the  regiment  on  this  question  at  an 
early  period,  Later,  it  was  written:  "The  coming  election  in 
our  State  excites  a  lively  interest  here.  More  than  nine-tenths 
of  the  men  are  strongly  in  favor  of  Buckingham,  and  of  prosecut 
ing  the  war  with  vigor  until  the  Rebellion  is  put  down  and  the  star 
spangled  banner  waves  triumphant  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  our  land. 

"Voters  of  Connecticut!  while  we  are  absent  in  the  service  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  73 


our  country  let  not  the  friends  of  traitors  he  elected  to  any  office, 
and  let  not  our  beloved  State  prove  untrue  to  the  caus«  for  which 
we  came  forth  at  the  peril  of  our  lives." 

We  here  insert  special  mention  of  the  action  of  Company  B, 
which  indicates  the  spirit  of  the  regiment  generally.  One  evening 
at  roll  call  the  members  of  this  company  rf?solved  themselves 
into  a  town  meeting  to  give  expression  of  their  feelings  in  relation 
to  the  approaching  election  in  Connecticut,  with  the  following 
result:  Buckingham,  84;  Seymour  o.  A  few  soldiers  remained 
neutral. 

A  committee,  consisting  of  Lieut.  Carpenter,  Orderly  Amesbury, 
U.  B.  Scofield,  Corporal  Lee  and  Allen  Clark,  was  appointed  to 
draft  a  series  of  resolutions,  and  the  following  were  submitted  and 
adopted:  "'We,  the  members  of  Company  B,  Eighteenth  Con 
necticut  Volunteers,  having  a  deep  interest  in  the  election  about 
to  take  place  in  Connecticut,  and  being  deprived  of  the  privilege 
of  voting,  do  desire  to  express  our  views  and  feelings  in  the  fol 
lowing  declaration,  to  wit: 

"We  believe  we  left  our  homes  and  friends  but  for  one  purpose, 
that  of  putting  down  a  wicked  and  causeless  Rebellion  against  one 
of  the  best  governments  in  the  world,  and  until  that  is  accom 
plished  we  cannot  abate  one  jot  or  tittle  in  our  earnest  endeavors 
to  sustain  the  government  of  the  United  States  to  the  bitter  end. 
Our  deepest  teelings  and  earnest  desires  are  for  peace  founded 
upon  righteousness,  justice  and  humanity;  but  the  peace  some 
would  have,  to  be  obtained  by  the  government  laying  down  their 
arms  while  armed  rebels  menace  us,  we  have  no  sympathy  for. 
We  look  for  the  most  earnest  and  lasting  peace  by  a  vigorous 
prosecution  of  the  war,  and  not,  in  the  language  of  Thomas  H. 
Seymour,  by  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  peace.  And  as  said  Sey 
mour  has  in  no  way,  either  by  word,  sympathy  or  deed,  done 
anything  to  encourage  or  support  the  government  in  the  prosecu 
tion  of  the  war,  but  has  on  the  contrary  opposed  the  war  from 
the  start;  we,  therefore,  look  with  the  deepest  regret  upon  any 

10 


74  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


prospect  of  his  election  to  the  governorship  of  the  State  of 
Connecticut,  believing  it  would  tend  to  discourage  our  own  gov 
ernment,  arid  encourage  rebels,  when  they  are  evidently  at  their 
last  resort.  In  William  A.  Buckingham  we  recognize  a  man 
who  has  with  his  whole  soul  entered  upon  the  work  of  sustaining 
the  government  in  every  possible  way,  and  has  given  his  time 
and  money  without  stint  towards  the  suppression  of  the  Rebellion. 
We,  therefore,  regard  him  as  the  best  man  to  aid  the  government 
in  this  trying  time  of  the  nation's  peril,  and  would  support  him 
by  our  votes  were  we  at  home  to  vote.  We  earnestly  ask  all  who 
have  any  regard  for  us  as  soldiers  not  to  support  a  man  who  will 
embarrass  the  government. 

Signed,  GEORGE  TORREY,  Chairman. 

Ax  SON  W  i  THEY,  Secretary." 

Capt.  Dates  then  added  a  few  remarks,  "pithy,  patriotic  and  to 
the  point,"  at  the  close  of  which  he  called  for  three  rousing  cheers 
for  Governor  Buckingham,  which  were  given  with  a  will  amid  the 
greatest  enthusiasm. 

This  action,  with  reference  to  the  political  preferences  to  the 
Eighteenth  Connecticut,  was  not  instigated  by  mere  partisan 
feeling,  or  by  a  desire  to  promote  the  interests  of  political  aspir 
ants  to  office.  Men  of  different  political  creeds  before  the  war 
were  a  unit  in  denouncing  Secession  and  in  the  determination  to 
support  the  war  for  the  Union.  The  party  at  home,  whatever 
its  name,  that  supported  the  general  government  was  their  party; 
the  party  opposed  was  their  enemy,  and  as  soldiers  they  fought 
against  it  with  their  pens,  while  they  stood  ready  to  attack  the 
foe  in  front  with  their  arms.  The  volunteers  of  1862  were  of 
sturdy  material,  true  as  steel,  and  whether  in  victory  or  defeat, 
unyielding  in  their  attachment  to  public  men  who  stood  iirmly  by 
the  government. 

Six  months  had  passed  away  since  the  Eighteenth  left  Con 
necticut,  and  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  close  of  the  war  was  by  no 
means  flattering.  "It  looks  now  as  though  we  should  stay 


Surgeon    LOWELL  HOLBROOK. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  75 


three  years,  instead   of  being  home  in  three  months,  which  was 
the    hopeful     anticipation     of  some    when     we    left   the  State," 
thus  dolefully  wrote   a  correspondent.      February   wore     slowly 
away.     The  order  of  exercises  was  nearly  the  same  as  at  the  first 
of  the  service.      The  duty  of  one  company    was  mainly  the  duty 
of    all.      The  first  thing  in    the  morning    was  the   "reveille,"   a 
"duet"  performed  on  the  fife  and  drum.   These  instruments  were 
generally  denominated  "spirit  stirring,"  but  it  was  rather  a  body 
stirring  sound,  because  when  the  shrill  strains    were  heard  every 
one  was  obliged  to  leave  his  bed  of  straw,    don  his    suit  of  blue, 
and  in  ten    minutes   be  in  readiness  for  taps.      Then    the  order 
"fall  in"  was    given,    and  presently  the  men  stood  in  two    ranks; 
after  a   few  maneuvers,    the  orderly  began  calling   the  roll,   first 
with  the  non-commissioned  officers,  and  then  with  the  privates  in 
alphabetical  order,  each  one  present  answering  here.      This  con 
cluded,  the  order  was  given  "right  face,  break  ranks,  march,"  and 
a  simultaneous  charge  was  made  on  the  cook-room  for  breakfast, 
which  occurred  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock    A.    M.      Some 
times    military  order  was  not  strictly  observed,    the  boys  rushing 
in  "pell-mell,"  and  seizing  the  different  dishes  set  before  them  and 
bearing  them  away  to  their  quarters  to   be  consumed  in   undis 
turbed  security.     The  kind  of   food   most  generally  disliked  was 
mule  beef,  and  that  which  gave  the  best  satisfaction  was  pork  and 
beans — baked  as    enchantingly    as    ever    were   baked    at  home. 
The  remainder   of  the  meal  consisted  of  a  loaf  of  good  bread, 
and  coffee  to    wash    it    down.     Occasionally    there  was  chickory 
instead  of  coffee,  but  it  was  the  general  opinion  thatUnc!*-  Sam  was 
not  himself  when  he  bought  it.  There  was  plenty  of  fun  and  rough 
pleasantry  at  all  the  meals.     The  cry,  hot  coffee,  or  more  coffee, 
with  an  occasional  outward  application  of  the  same,  and  the  out 
bursts  of  merriment  or  wrath  will  not  soon  be  forgotten,  or  cease 
to  provoke  a  smile.   After  breakfast  came  the  sick  call — an  orderly 
going  the  rounds   taking  the  names  of  all  those    who   considered 
themselves  unfit  for  duty,  and  then  in  solemn  procession-  march- 


;6  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


ing  them  to  the  hospital,  or  the  surgeons'  headquarters,  where 
they  were  questioned  and  examined  and  got  the  usual  dose,  or 
were  sent  to  the  hospital  as  the  case  might  require.  The  next 
thing  in  order  was  "guard  mounting."  The  men  detailed  for  this 
business,  at  the  tap  of  the  drum,  would  don  their  equipments, 
seize  their  guns,  and  with  fixed  bayonets  sally  forth,  and  as  their 
names  were  called  take  their  places  in  line;  then  they  were  passed 
over  to  the  tender  mercies  of  a  sergeant  who  inspected  their  arms 
and  saw  that  everything  was  right,  after  which  they  were  sent  to. 
their  respective  posts  of  duty.  Shortly  after  guard  mounting, 
when  the  weather  permitted,  came  the  "fall  in  for  drill,"  which 
was  marching  in  different  shapes  and  forms — coming  to  right 
shoulder  shift,  parade  rest,  charge  bayonets,  £c.,  till  the  ideas  of 
some  became  decidedly  muddled. 

The  grand  event  of  the  day  was  dinner.  The  tap  of  the 
drum  brought  down  the  camp  into  the  cook-room  again,  and  none 
but  a  hungry  man  could  fairly  appreciate  its  attractions.  At  this 
meal  there  was  pork,  beef,  and  generally  potatoes.  Three  times, 
a  week  there  was  beefsteak,  sometimes  tender  and  good,  but  at 
other  times  older  and  tougher  than  the  nineteenth  century.  It 
is  needless  to  say  that  many  jokes  were  cracked  at  the  expense 
of  the  "animal,"  and  there  was  much  speculation  as  to  the  man 
ner  in  which  his  last  days  were  spent.  It  is  no  wonder  that  two 
hours  were  required  for  digesting  before  resuming  drill  in  the 
afternoon,  which  in  general  was  the  same  as  in  the  morning. 

At  five  o'clock  P.  M.  came  dress  parade.  This  was  a  kind  of 
recapitulation  of  what  had  been  learned  through  the  day,  and, 
as  in  a  "country  school  on  examination  day,"  the  boys  had  to 
don  their  best,  with  white  gloves,  "chokers."  and  shining  boots, 
making  an  imposing  appearance.  The  "chokers"  deserve  spec 
ial  notice.  They  were  furnished  by  the  government,  and  were, 
strips  of  harness  leather  two  and  one-half  inches  wide  for  which 
the  men  had  to  pay  ten  cents.  The  only  ornament  they  bore 
was  an  iren  buckle,  and  were  very  comfortable— when.  .off.  It  ia 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  77 


said  when  first  received  the  men  were  very  proud  of  them,  and 
strutted  about  like  a  boy  with  a  new  jacket.  Some  of  them,  how 
ever,  felt  so  grateful  that  they  wished  that  the  donors  might  be 
allowed  to  wear  them  as  a  "mark  of  honor"  as  long  as  they  lived. 
Of  course  at  dress  parade  the  "chokers"  were  of  service  in  com 
pelling  the  boys  to  hold  up  their  heads  and  look  fixedly  straight 
ahead.  These  "neck-ties"  accounted  in  part  for  this  fine  ap 
pearance  on  parade.  Parade  dismissed  there  was  another  rush 
for  private  quarters  where  preparations  were  made  for  supper, 
which  was  served  at  about  half-past  five  o'clock.  It  consisted 
sometimes  of  rice  and  molasses,  or  cold  meat  and  bread,  and 
sometimes  the  staff  of  life  stood  solitary  and  alone  on  the  table. 
With  this  meal  there  was  generally  tea  or  coffee.  The  success 
in  obtaining  "extras"  of  the  citizens  in  country  about  camp  de 
pended  on  the  amount  of  greenbacks  among  the  soldiers.  Milk, 
butter  and  poultry  could  be  obtained  for  money  and  occasionally 
as  a  gift. 

Evening  roll  being  over  the  day's  work  was  done;  soon  after 
the  drums  beat,  lights  were  put  out  and  old  Morpheus  took  com 
mand  of  all  except  along  the  guard-line. 

On  Sunday  the  usual  drills  were  omitted,  but  there  was  a  gen 
eral  inspection  in  the  forenoon  and  dress  parade  in  the  afternoon. 
The  soldier  is  supposed  to  carry  all  his  property  in  his  knapsack, 
and  at  inspection  the  contents  of  this  "back  institution"  are  in 
spected.  When  the  boys  opened  their  knapsacks  and  spread 
out  their  contents  the  scene  reminded  one  of  a  string  of  peddlers 
exhibiting  their  goods  for  sale.  At  the  same  time  there  was  a 
general  inspection  of  arms  and  ammunition  after  the  men  had 
passed  in  review  to  see  if  their  legs  were  all  right.  On  the 
whole  the  inspection  was  quite  an  exciting  affair,  and  right  o-Jad 
were  the  men  when  it  was  over. 

The  members  of  the  different  companies  will  recall  with  no 
little  pleasure  the  lively  times  at  target  practice — the  "wild  shots" 
3tnd_  "good  shots,"  and  when  the  target  sometimes  was  shot  all 


;S  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


to  pieces.  The  companies  were  marched  to  some  "by  place" 
and  there  in  turn  all  would  blaze  away  with  the  purpose  to  per 
fect  themselves  in  the  art  of  hitting  the  enemy.  It  is  a  question, 
however,  whether  the  best  marksman  at  the  target  was  the  best 
shot  in  battle,  on  account  of  the  "peculiar  agitation"  that  is  likely 
to  occur  in  the  presence  of  immediate  danger.  "Circumstances 
alter  cases." 

On  February  5th  "Ed."  Miles  was  sent  to  Fort  Marshall  to 
stand  trial  for  manslaughter. 

On  February  i  ;th  the  paymaster  came  with  two  months  pay. 
These  were  important  events. 

The  pay  was  $26.  There  were  few  who  looked  upon  "soldier 
ing"  as  especially  lucrative  in  the  light  of  the  proceeds.  At 
home  most  of  the  men  could  have  earned  three  times  that 
amount.  Uncle  Sam  could  not  afford  to  pay  big  wages. 

About  the  2Oth  an  exciting  affair  occurred  at  Conewingo 
bridge,  where  a  squad  of  Company  H  was  stationed.  A  sergeant 
and  four  men  sallied  forth  to  arrest  a  deserter  and  was  attacked 
by  twenty  or  thirty  rebel  citizens,  who,  after  a  lively  set-to,  over 
powered  our  boys  and  lodged  them  in  jail.  A  correspondent, 
writing  from  Fort  Marshall,  February  ist,  relates  an  incident  that 
caused  great  sadness  among  the  three  companies  there.  Ac 
cording  to  his  account:  "Maj.  Gen.  Butler,  accompanied  by 
Gen.  Schenck,  their  staff  officers,  the  mayor  of  Baltimore  and  a 
portion  of  the  city  council,  visited  the  fort  last  Thursday,  escorted 
by  a  company  of  cavalry,  one  of  which  belonged  to  the  First 
Connecticut  battalion.  A  sad  accident  cast  a  gloom  over  all,  and 
they  returned  to  the  city  with  sorrowing  hearts.  As  the  visitors 
were  walking  upon  the  ramparts  of  the  fort  during  the  firing  of 
the  salute  in  honor  of  their  arrival,  Capt.  Woodhull,  of  the 
United  States  navy,  stepped  in  front  of  one  of  the  guns  at  the 
instant  of  its  discharge,  and  was  so  terribly  injured  that  he  lived 
but  a  few  moments.  The  charge  took  effect  in  the  legs,  and  he 
was  thrown  about  thirty  feet  down  an  embankment  fifteen  feet 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  79 


high.  His  son,  who  was  on  Gen.  Schenck's  staff,  was  present 
and  witnessed  the  terrible  accident.  His  grief  may  be  better 
imagined  than  described.  Capt.  Woodhull  had  fallen  about  thirty 
feet  to  the  rear  of  the  party  and  was  in  the  act  of  regaining  his 
position  when  the  fatal  occurrence  took  place.  No  blame  was 
attached  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  battery." 

Previous  to  this  disaster  Gen.  Butler  had  reviewed  the  troops 
in  the  fort,  and  made  them  a  speech  which  was  well  received; 

On  February  25th  Gen.  Rosseau,  of  Kentucky,  passed  over 
the  road,  "an  out-and-out  six-footer,"  as  one  of  Company  K,  of  the 
relief  guard  on  the  ferry  boat  at  Havre-de-Grace,  styled  him; 
adding  at  the  same  time,  "May  the  star  of  his  patriotism  never 
wane."  Company  K  had  a  better  opportunity  of  seeing  the  big 
generals  as  they  passed  over  the  road,  as  six  of  their  number 
were  on  duty  daily  as  a  special  guard  to  look  after  deserters. 
But  they  did  not  disturb  many  of  stars  and  shoulder-straps. 

Fhe  affair  at  Conewingo  bridge  ended  satisfactorily  after  all; 
Sergeant  Spencer,  with  a  posse  of  men,  rescuing  the  soldiers 
from  the  rebel  citizens  on  the  evening  of  the  day  of  the  capture. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  the  course  of  such  rebel  citizens,  who 
were  too  cowardly  to  fight  openly,  prolonged  the  war,  as  it  required 
a  large  force  to  watch  them,  which  might  have  been  employed 
to  better  advantage  at  the  front.  The  rebel  force  in  the  rear, 
reaching  back  to  Canada,  gave  our  government  a  world  of  trouble. 
About  the  last  of  February  Companies  I  and  G  were  ordered 
from  Stewart's  woods  to  Fort  Me  Henry.  During  the  latter  part 
of  their  stay  at  Stewart's  woods,  Capt.  Knapp  was  in  command, 
Maj.  Chalfin,  of  the  Fifth  United  States  artillery,  being  ordered 
to  serve  on  a  court  martial  in  the  city.  At  this  time  another 
down-east  snow  storm  made  its  appearance,  the  snow  being  about 
ten  inches  deep,  a  freezing  cold,  but  it  did  not  tarry  long  under 
the  influence  of  a  Maryland  sun.  Next,  several  companies  were 
made  glad  by  the  presence  of  home  friends — Messrs.  Amesbury, 
Jencks,  Blanchard,  W.  L.  Danielson  and  William  James,  Esq.,  of 


8o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT  .'*- 


Killingly,  who  are  interesting  themselves  in  the  welfare  of  their 
soldiers.  In  addition  to  other  kindly  offices  performed  by  these 
gentlemen,  they  carried  home  to  the  friends  of  Companies  B 
and  K  large  amounts  of  money  received  on  the  State  bounty 
checks  free  of  charge,  thus  saving  the  friends  or  the  soldiers 
much  trouble  and  not  a  little  expense.  Mr.  Amesbury  took  about 
$800  and  Mr.  Danielson  $1000  in  checks.  This  act  was  a  very 
generous  one,  the  gentlemen  going  many  miles  out  of  their 
way  to  deliver  the  money.  All  the  checks  were  taken  to  New 
Haven  and  cashed  at  the  State  department. 

Messrs.  Green,  Sawyer  and  McClellan,  of  Woodstock,  paid 
the  Windham  County  boys  a  visit  at  about  the  same  time.  And, 
best  of  all,  the  wives  of  many  of  the  men  took  upon  themselves 
the  responsibility  to  come  and  look  after  the  wants  of  their  lords 
now  in  blue  clothes,  and  ascertain  how  Uncle  Sam  was  using 
them.  Their  coming  was  a  source  of  great  mutual  enjoyment. 
On  March  4th  Chaplain  Cooper  resigned  on  account  of  the  ill 
health  of  his  family,  and  returned  to  his  home  in  New  London. 
It  hardly  seemed  right  that  the  regiment  should  be  deprived  of 
the  services  of  a  chaplain  at  such  a  time,  and  yet  it  was  thought 
by  some  that  the  regiment  was  so  scattered  and  broken  up  tfiat 
it  would  be  difficult  for  one  to  be  of  much  service;  others  argued 
that  on  this  account  they  needed  a  chaplain  all  the  more,  and  he 
could  be  all  the  more  useful.  The  chaplain,  by  establishing  a 
"Methodist  circuit,"  and  visiting  the  different  companies  in  regu 
lar  order  and  holding  religious  services,  might  do  much  for  the 
benefit  of  the  men  in  keeping  up  their  courage  and  spirits  in 
cheerful  endurance.  There  was  generally  a  difference  of  opin 
ion  about  chaplains  as  well  as  about  other  officers.  With  some 
companies  they  were  in  favor,  with  others  not.  Their  office  was 
regarded  by  some  as  necessary,  by  others  as  unnecessary. 

On  March  6th  Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Hough  resigned  and 
returned  to  Putnam.  He  had  been  very  attentive  to  the  duties 
of  his  position,  kind  and  faithful,  and  never  wanting  in  sympa- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  81 

thy  for  the  sick  of  his  charge.  Those  under  his  immediate  care 
cherish  grateful  remembrances  of  him.  He  was  a  sincere  and 
thorough  Union  man,  and  had  no  respect  for  men  who  proved 
unfaithful  in  the  important  trusts  committed  to  them  in  the  name 
of  their  government. 

Another  incident  occurred  about  this  time  which  was  the  cause 
of  no  little  merriment  among  these  boys  immediately  concerned 
in  the  case  of  a  "Pike"  and  a  "Baker,"  and  the  results  that  were 
developed. 

Miss  Eunice  Baker,  from  Wauregan,  visited  Havre-de-Grace 
in  search  of  a  "Pike"  whose  given  name  was  John,  who  wished  to 
confer  with  Miss  Eunice  Baker  on  interesting  business.  The  up 
shot  was,  that  John  and  Eunice  were  soon  pronounced  husband 
and  wife.  In  view  of  which  a  correspondent,  of  the  Transcript, 
perpetrated  the  following: — "Fish  grow  to  an  enormous  size- 
down  here,  some  kinds  are  over  six  feet  long  and  capable  of 
taking  a  common  sized  person  at  a  meal.  A  young  lady  who 
came  out  here  on  a  visit  met  with  this  sad  fate  which  one  of  the 
boys  immortalized  in  the  following:  'Miss  Baker  came  to  our 
town  to  see  how  she  would  like.  But  the  poor  lady,  soon — alas 
was  swallowed  by  a  Pike.'  May  the  life  and  happiness  of  our 
friend  be  as  long  as  his  body  corporate." 

On  March  igth  Company  K  received  another  testimonal  of 
regard  from  the  citizens  of  Havre-de-Grace.  They  were  treated, 
fifty  in  all,  to  a  "Duck  dinner,"  temptingly  cooked — an  act  of 
generosity  that  originated  with  Capt.  Galloway  who  had  re 
ceived  aid  from  other  parties  friendly  to  the  Union  soldiers. 
One  of  the  company  wrote  in  his  journal  on  the  following  night: 
"Company  K  will  always  remember  with  gratitude  these  men. 
May  their  lives  be  as  long  and  happy  as  their  deeds  are  patri 
otic." 

Company    I    had   just   fitted  up  good    quarters  in    an  old  ordi 
nance  building  at  Fort  McHenry,  and  lived    in  clover  for  a  short 
time  but  their  quarters  took  fire  one    night    and  burned   up  with 
11 


82  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


everything  in  them.  Capt.  Knapplost  everything,  the  company's 
books  and  papers,  leaving  him  nothing  but  the  clothes  he  had 
on.  This  was  a  heavy  loss  and  sorely  felt.  During  this  month 
Col.  Ely  was  president  of  a  court  martial  at  Fort  McHenry, 
Capt.  Bromley,  judge  advocate,  and  Capts.  Matthewson  Com 
pany  K.,  Warner  Company  G,  and  others  were  members  of  the 
court.  DeLaroo  Wilson,  Company  C,  was  clerk.  This  court  sat 
for  some  time  and  did  much  important  business.  A  similar  pro 
ceeding  was  held  during  the  fall  season  while  the  headquarters 
of  the  regiment  were  at  Fort  Marshall,  and  Col.  Ely  and  several 
of  the  line  officers  were  prominent  in  the  court,  Col.  Ely  being 
president. 

Col.  Graham,  of  the  New  York  Fifth  artillery,  was  in  com 
mand  at  Fort  Marshall  a  part  of  the  time  during  Col.  Ely's 
absence.  How  long  these  courts  were  in  session,  or  what  amount 
of  business  they  did  we  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain.  It  is 
certain,  however,  that  several  officers  of  the  Eighteenth  were 
members  of  both  courts  and  acquitted  themselves  with  ability 
and  dignity.  The  part  which  these  officers  were  called  to  per 
form  in  this  position  was  considered  at  the  time  an  honor  to  the 


regiment. 


More  recruits  were  wanted.  Accordingly  Capt.  Bromley, 
Company  C;  Corporal  Freeman,  Company  C  and  Sergeant 
Aldrich,  Company  I)  returned  to  Eastern  Connecticut  to  make  an 
other  draft  on  the  patriotism  of  the  people.  It  was  thought  that 
the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers  could  offer  inducements 
for  recruits  equal  to,  if  not  greater  than  that  of  any  other  regiment 
in  the  State.  Among  other  advantages  were  enumerated  good 
officers  and  men,  good  quarters  and  rations  and  above  all  a  good 
situation.  "Come  then — said  correspondent  F.  H.  W. — Wind- 
ham  County  patriots  and  join  our  ranks.  We  welcome  you  as 
brothers  and  from  "conquering  to  conquer" 

"We'll  go  marching  along." 

Political  feeling  continued  to  run  high    and  a  strong  feeling  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  83 


indignation  was  created  by  the  reported  speeches  of  Vallanding- 
ham  and  Wood  in  favor  of  the  election  of  Thomas  H.  Seymour 
governor  of  Connecticut.  As  the  time  of  election  was  near  the  ex 
citement  increased  in  proportion.  "What  are  the  Union  men  of 
Connecticut  thinking  of  to  let  such  foul  treason  pollute  their 
soil."  We  invite  the  trio  of  traitors  to  repeat  their  words  here," 
wrote  the  Transcript  detachment. 

The  work  of  recruiting  had  never  prospered  much.  The  draft 
was  resorted  to,  and  Capt.  Bromley  who  had  been  honorably  dis 
charged,  was  appointed  provost  marshal  with  his  headquarters 
at  Norwich,  and  the  draft  went  on. 

April  ist,  Col.  Ely  returned  home  on  a  ten  days'  furlough 
and  Col.  Nichols  was  left  in  command.  Ten  men  from  each  of 
the  companies  at  Fort  Marshall,  fifteen  each  from  the  companies 
at  Fort  McHenry  and  about  twenty  each  from  some  of  the  com 
panies  up  the  road  were  selected  by  their  captains  for  furloughs 
at  the  same  time,  the  object  being  no  doubt  to  allow  the  Eigh 
teenth  a  voice  in  the  Connecticut  State  election.  This  was  a  great 
privilege  to  the  fortunate  ones  but  there  was  dissatisfaction  re 
garding  the  men  selected. 

Many  of  the  regiment  had  been  enlisted  only  a  clay  or  two 
before  going  into  Camp  Aiken  at  Norwich,  with  the  promise 
that  they  were  to  have  furlough  of  several  days  before  leaving 
the  State.  This  was  not  granted  them  except  for  a  few  hours 
and  many  were  obliged  to  leave  their  home  affairs  in  an  un 
settled  state.  The  dissatisfaction  arose  on  the  supposition  that 
a  proper  discrimination  had  not  been  made  on  the  part  of  some 
of  the  officers,  young  men  without  families  being  permitted  to 
return,  while  men  with  families  and  whose  presence  was  needed 
at  home  for  the  above  reason  were  compelled  to  remain,  No  one 
thing  up  to  this  time  created  so  much  ill-feeling  in  the  regiment 
as  this  offical  act. 

But  the  presence  of  the  paymaster  again  with  two  months  pay 
operated  toward  making  peace,  and  good  humor  again  prevail- 


84  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


ed.  l<The  boys,"  sa)s  a  correspondent,  "are  feeling  better,"  and 
another  correspondent  adds,  "our  captain  is  giving  passes  to  the 
city  to  those  who  had  no  opportunity  to  go  home;  we  have  music 
and  other  amusements  to  pass  away  the  time  and  our  lot  is  com 
paratively  an  easy  one." 

The  first  week  in   April   there  was  great  excitement  over  the 
Connecticut    election.      The    re-election   of   Governor    Bucking- 

o 

ham  by  about  2,500  majority,  was  a  source  of  great  joy  to  the 
Eighteenth.  The  members  of  the  regiment  who  were  at  home, 
contributed  not  a  little  to  this  most  desirable  result.  We  find 
this  record  in  the  Killingly  Transcript:  "Col.  Ely  of  the  Eigh 
teenth  regiment,  with  others,  spoke  at  Union  Hall,  Danielson- 
ville,  Saturday  evening.'  He  eloquently  and  forcibly  urged  the 
people  not  to  discourage  the  soldiers  by  electing  an  anti-war  man 
as  governor  of  the  State,  and  they  haven't." 

The  following  week  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Danielson- 
ville,  manifested  their  interest  in  the  soldiers  of  the  Eighteenth 
and  others,  by  giving  them  a  collation  at  Union  Hall  to  which 
the  families  of  the  soldiers  were  also  invited  and  who  attended 
in  large  numbers.  It  was  a  decidedly  pleasant  affair.  Members 
of  the  Eighteenth  at  home  on  a  furlough  in  other  towns,  in 
Windham  and  New  London  counties,  were  recipients  of  similar 
demonstrations,  while  at  the  same  time  the  boys  in  the  front 
were  cheering  for  William  A.  Buckingham. 

On  April  8th  Company  K  removed  fiom  Havre-de-Grace  to 
Fort  Marshall  and  were  assigned  to  duty  inside  of  the  fort  where 
they  found  pleasant  quarters.  Seven  men  of  this  company  were 
soon  detailed  for  duty  at  Patterson's  Park  hospital,  half  a  mile 
away.  April  loth  the  furloughed  boys  returned  to  their  res 
pective  companies,  brimming  over  with  stories  to  tell  their  com 
rades  about  their  visit  at  home  and  about  the  many  amusing  in 
cidents  of  the  late  election.  A  member  of  the  regiment  wrote  in 
his  journal  that  night  as  follows:  "Our  boys  who  went  home  on 
a  furlough  returned  this  afternoon,  looking  old  fashioned  enough. 


Chaplain  YARNUM  A.  COOPER. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  85 


They  are  dancing  like  wild  cats  around  us.  The  noise  is  enough 
to  deafen  one." 

On  April  i5th  there  was  a  sad  accident  in  Company  D;  Jesse 
F.  Converse,  of  Thompson,  having  his  left  eye  accidentally  put 
out  with  the  point  of  a  knife.  He  had  the  sympathy  of  the 
whole  company  for  he  was  a  good  soldier  and  a  general  favorite. 

April  igth  was  anniversary  of  the  attack  on  the  Massachu 
setts  Sixth  in  the  streets  of  Baltimore  two  years  ago,  but  as  it 
was  Sunday  the  celebration  of  this  event  did  not  occur  until  the 
next  day.  The  five  companies  of  the  Eighteenth  took  an  active 
part  in  the  ceremonies.  Companies  D  and  H  fired  a  salute  of 
thirteen  guns  at  the  fort  at  sundown,  and  in  the  evening  there 
was  held  a  great  Union  meeting  at  the  Maryland  Institute,  ten 
or  twelve  from  each  company  being  permitted  to  attend.  The 
immense  hall  was  crowded  and  many  went  away,  unable  to  gain 
admittance.  The  hall  was  beautifully  decorated  with  American 
flags,  and  mottoes  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  and  the  strongest 
Union  sentiments  were  expressed  and  heartily  cheered.  A  cor 
respondent  writes:  "I  never  expected  to  hear  such  strong  anti- 
slavery  sentiments  uttered  in  a  slave  State,  especially  in  the  city 
of  Baltimore  and  have  them  received  with  so  much  applause. 
They  used  to  mob  people  up  North  a  few  years  ago,  for  making 
just  such  speeches."  The  boys  were  more  than  pleased  to  wit 
ness  the  crowd  and  the  spirit  and  enthusiasm  of  the  occasion. 

Companies  I  and  G  were  a  terror  to  the  evil-doers  in  the  artil 
lery  companies  at  Fort  Me  Henry,  some  of  whom  found  it  not 
so  easy  to  "run  the  guard."  One  of  Company  G  went  so  far  as 
to  shoot  a  regular  who  had  been  sentenced  to  two  years'  imprison 
ment  and  who  was  making  an  effort  at  escape.  The  ball  struck 
his  cheek,  passed  through  his  mouth,  knocking  out  some  of  his 
teeth,  and  coming  out  on  the  other  side,  inflicting  a  painful  but 
not  dangerous  wound.  This  act  raised  quite  a  storm  among  the 
other  companies,  but  Gen.  Morris  was  apparently  well  pleased 
with  the  prompt  and  determined  manner  in  which  our  boys  were 
doing  their  duty. 


86  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


About  this  time  a  large  number  of  rebel  soldiers  passed  through 
Baltimore  on  their  way  to  the  South  to  be  exchanged.  Their 
rusty  appearance  was  the  subject  of  frequent  remark  among  our 
men  as  in  striking  contrast  to  that  of  the  Union  soldiers. 

At  this  date  a  correspondent  writes:  "We  have  two  sutlers 
here  who  are  allowed  to  sell  cider,  lager  beer,  &c.,  and  we  find 
them  a  great  help  in  keeping  our  guard  house  full."  No  doubt 
of  that,  as  we  always  found  them  expert  at  that  business  as  well  as  in 
emptying  pockets  of  their  greenbacks. 

"The  spring  campaign  has  fairly  commenced  in  the  fort.  Bar 
racks  are  being  thoroughly  cleansed  and  white-washed,  the  guns 
and  carriages  are  newly  painted  and  everything  conductive  to 
health  and  good  order  being  done."  So  writes  one  of  the  men 
to  his  family  at  this  date.  The  weather  was  fine  and  the  regi 
ment  generally  were  pleased  with  their  quarters  and  duties. 

April  23th  a  guard  of  thirty-five  men  went  on  to  Washington 
with  a  squad  of  convalescents  and  returned  the  same  evening, 
the  trip  being  a  pleasant  one  and  much  enjoyment  by  way  of 
variety. 

April  29th  Company  F,  Capt.  Peale,  arrived  at  the  fort  much 
fatigued  after  a  march  of  about  twenty  miles.  As  soon  as  they 
came  in  sight,  a  drum  corps  marched  out  and  escorted  them  into 
the  fort.  Company  C  relieved  Company  F.  The  month  of 
April,  on  the  whole  was  a  period  of  considerable  interest.  The 
weather  was  quite  agreeable;  more  than  the  usual  number  of  fur 
loughs  were  granted,  bringing  frequent  good  news  from  home; 
there  was  more  activity  in  military  circles,  and  the  excitement 
caused  by  rumors  of  removal  to  the  front  was  often  intense. 

The  chief  amusements  were  ball    playing  and  singing  schools. 

May  opened  finely  with  stirring  news  from  the  front  and  the 
excitement  increasing. 

Gen.  Hooker  was  crossing  the  Rappahannock,  and  the  pros 
pect  was  fair  of  being  called  to  the  front  soon.  On  May  /th 
some  of  the  boys  went  to  the  city  and  the  supply  of  fire-water 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  87 


which  they  procured  caused  more  or  less  unpleasantness  in 
camp. 

May  8th  Greenbacks  arrived  once  more  and  were  received 
with  a  hearty  welcome. 

May  1 3th  Col.  Ely  returned  from  Fort  McHenry  where  he 
had  presided  at  court  martial  as  already  mentioned. 

May  2oth  Maj.  Keech  was  discharged  for  disability,  his  loss 
being  generally  regretted.  Thus  far  the  regiment  had  suffered 
considerably  by  sickness  and  the  number  was  large  of  those  who 
had  become  disabled  and  were  discharged  from  the  service.  It 
had  been  about  nine  months  since  the  regiment  left  Camp  Aiken 
and  during  this  time  the  losses  in  various  ways  had  been  more 
than  the  accessions  by  recruiting.  Several  officers  had  been  dis 
charged  for  various  causes,  and  yet,  the  regiment  was  con 
sidered  in  quite  good  condition,  but  constant  post  duty  had  not 
given  Col.  Ely  much  opportunity  to  prepare  his  men  for  field 
service.  It  was  not  a  matter  of  surprise  to  military  men  that  the 
regmient  had  in  some  respects  degenerated  and  its  discipline  be 
come  impaired.  It  was  owing  to  fears  on  this  point  that  Col. 
Ely  desired  orders  for  the  front,  believing  that"  the  regi 
ment  if  it  was  consolidated  and  acting  in  concert  in  regimental 
drill  and  discipline,  would  soon  be  in  good  fighting  trim.  Better 
and  more  tractable  men  never  entered  the  service,  as  a  few  weeks 
of  marching  and  discipline  abundantly  proved.  It  was  with  deep 
regret,  however,  that  the  men  left  Baltimore.  They  had  made 
many  pleasant  acquaintances  and  a  host  of  friends  by  their  gen 
eral  good  behavior  an  had  secured  the  confidence  of  their  divi 
sion  and  regimental  commanders. 

The  Eighteenth  being  about  to  proceed  to  the  front,  it  may 
be  well  to  note  its  condition  and  some  of  the  most  important 
changes.  It  is  not  in  all  respects  what  it  was  when  it  left  Camp 
Aiken  in  Norwich.  The  soldier's  life  tries  men.  It  shows  what 
sort  of  material  they  are  made  of- — whether  they  will  stand  fire 
or  not,  men  to  a  great  extent  being  creatures  of  circumstance. 


88  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  life  of  the  Eighteenth,  on  the  road  and  in  Baltimore,  devel 
oped  the  qualities  of  both  the  good  arid  the  bad.  It  must  be 
confessed  that  every  officer  and  man  did  not  prove  to  be  of  as 
fine  metal  as  was  desired  and  expected,  some  led  away  by  one 
vice  and  some  by  another.  Intemperance  and  its  kindred  evils 
are  the  great  scourge  of  army  life,  and  have  proved  more  de 
structive  to  life  and  health  than  the  bullet;  and  though  we  do 
not  think  the  Eighteenth  were  sinners  above  all  soldiers  in  this 
respect,  yet  it  might  have  stood  better.  We  are  thankful  that 
the  case  was  no  worse,  and  we  institute  no  comparisons  to  the 
discredit  of  other  regiments.  The  order  is  given  to  move.  Col. 
Ely  is  still  in  command.  But  we  notice  some  changes  in  his 
staff.  Maj.  Keech,  a  true  man  and  a  good  officer,  is  missing  and 
Capt.  Henry  Peale,  of  Company  F,  appears  in  his  place.  Sur 
geon  Charles  M.  Carleton,  resigned  for  disability,  is  succeeded 
by  Surgeon  Lowell  Holbrook,  who  has  been  but  a  few  days  with 
the  regiment;  Surgeon  William  B.  North  appears  in  the  place  of 
Surgeon  Henry  W.  Hough.  The  chaplaincy  is  vacant  and  the 
regiment  moves  on,  without  a  moral  guide. 

Company  A,  Capt.  Henry  C.  Davis.  This  company  has  spent 
most  of  the  time  at  Bush  River,  a  pleasant  and  healthy  location. 
A  detachment  of  twenty-five  men,  in  charge  of  a  lieutenant,  had 
been  sent  to  Eklton.  on  the  road  between  Perryville  and  Wil 
mington,  with  another  stationed  at  Chesapeake  City,  and  did  not 
receive  orders  in  time  to  join  their  company  before  leaving  Bal 
timore.  There  had  been  but  few  changes.  No  discharges,  only 
one  death,  and  one  desertion;  facts  which  speak  well  for  the 
company. 

Company  B,  Capt.  Thomas  K.  Bates,  was-  at  Back  River,  an 
unhealthy  location.  Considerable  sickness  reported.  Ten  dis 
charges  for  disability.  No  other  changes. 

Company  C.  Capt.  Bromley  has  resigned  and  Lieut.  Merwin  is 
in  command.  Quite  a  number  of  changes  reported.  Six  dis 
charges  for  disability  and  one  desertion.  Several  promotions, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS,  89 


noted  elsewhere,  and  several  more  detailed  for  duty  at  head 
quarters,  or  in  other  departments  of  the  regimental  service. 

Company  I).  No  change  in  its  affairs,  five  men  discharged  for 
disability  and  one  transferred. 

Company  E.  Changed  commanders,  reports  one  death,  four 
discharges  for  disability  and  two  desertions. 

Company  F"  reports  one  or  two  promotions,  one  death,  two  dis 
charges  for  disability  and  one  desertion. 

Company  G  reports  one  resignation,  three  deaths  and  six  dis 
charges  for  disability. 

Company  H.  One  resignation,  one  death,  three  discharges 
for  disability  and  two  desertions. 

Company  I.  One  resignation,  one  death,  six  discharges  for- 
disability  and  six  desertions. 

Company  K.  One  death,  two  discharges  and  three  deser 
tions. 

Thus  stood  the  regiment  as  to  changes  and  promotions  at 
the  time,  the  order  was  received  to  go  into  Virginia.  Loss  by 
discharges,  forty-four;  by  death,  eight;  by  desertion,  sixteen, 
transferred,  two — seventy-five  in  all — leaving  the  regiment  about 
nine  hundred  strong. 


90  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CHAPTER  III. 


MARCHING    TO    THE     FRONT. 


As  a  whole,  the  regiment  appeared  excellent  and  excited  in 
terest  and  commendation  .  as  it  marched  out  of  Fort  Marshall, 
and  proceeded  to  the  Washington  depot.  The  entire  command 
was  together  with  the  exception  of  Companies  I,  G  and  D 
which  had  preceeded  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  were  waiting  on 
Maryland  Heights  for  the  balance  of  the  regiment. 

Though  quitting  Baltimore  with  reluctance,  still  it  was  the  gen 
eral  desire  to  get  to  the  front  and  be  in  more  active  service. 
The  men  had  become  weary  of  guard  duty.  Besides  the  grum 
blers  at  home  had  accused  them  of  doing  nothing  long  enough. 
Thus  one  of  the  soldiers  write:;  "The  men  were  looking  and 
feeling  finely  as  they  marrhc<  away  from  Fort  Marshall  to  the 
Washington  depot.  In  :  .short  time  they  were  joined  by  the 
companies  from  up  the  road," 

While  awaiting  transportation  the  citizens  were  not  sparing  in 
their  criticisms,  which  on  the  whole  were  quite  flattering,  and  ex 
cited  considerable  interest  among  the  men.  Of  several  rough 
looking  fellows,  who  were  watching  closely  every  movement  of 
the  regiment,  one  was  heard  to  say:  "Jim,  what  regiment  is  that? 
"Well,  well,  don't  you  know?  That  is  the  Eighteenth  Connec 
ticut."  Another  by-stander  commented:  "Look  here,  do  you 
know  I  pity  the  regiment  of  rebels  that  fasten  on  to  those  fel 
lows,  for  1  think  they  will  fight  like  h — 1."  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  compliments  were  highly  enjoyed. 


The  Sbenandoah  Valley 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  91 


On  the  22cl  of  May  the  Eighteenth  was  packed  away  in  a  train 
of  cattle  cars  for  the  rebel  market;  and  at  half-past  one  in  the  af 
ternoon  the  train  moved  off  amicl  great  cheering,  stopping  about 
two  miles  away  to  take  on  the  baggage.  Remained  here  until 
about  half-past  four  and  then  moved  on  again,  passing  through  a 
delightful  country  which  at  that  time  was  in  luxuriant  vegeta 
tion.  At  the  Relay  House  another  stop  was  made.  The  cattle 
train  was  anything  but  convenient  and  comfortable,  though  the 
frequent  halts  gave  opportunity  for  a  change  of  position,  Passed 
on  to  Ellicott  Mills.  Near  this  place  the  boys  filled  their  can 
teens  from  a  beautiful  spring  of  water.  "The  best  water,"  says 
one,  ''I  have  found  in  Maryland."  The  remainder  of  the  trip  to 
Sandy  Hook  was  performed  in  the  night.  At  "Point  of  Rocks" 
the  men  caught  a  view  of  the  Potomac  by  moonlight  for  the 
first  time.  Passing  under  the  shelving  rock  and  round  the  curve 
of  the  road  the  place  was  sava-  ing  enough,  large  boulders 

hanging  directly  overhead.  The  whole  landscape  from  this  place 
to  Sandy  Hook,  on  that  night,  looked  wild  and  picturesque,  elicit 
ing  exclamations  of  wonder  and  delight. 

Arriving  at  Sanely  Hook,  the  men  prepared  for  sleep,  stretch 
ing  themselves  on  the  car  floors.  .Not  very  pleasant  were  the 
dreams  that  night.  The  day  previous  had  been  one  of  great 
excitement,  new  scenes  were  witnessed,  and  every  hour  was  bring 
ing  the  regiment  nearer  to  the  realities  and  horrors  of  war.  It  is 
no  wonder  some  dreamed  of  "rebs,"  and  others  of  "blood  and 
battle,"  and  that  things  generally  seemed  uncertain  and  porten- 
teous.  That  first  night,  at  Sandy  Hook  on  many  accounts,  was  a 
memorable  one,  and  will  not  soon  be  forgotten. 

At  4.30  A.  M.,  the  23d,  the  regiment  roused  by  the  cry  of  "fall 
in,"  was  soon  moving,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  had  reached  Har 
per's  Ferry,  crossed  the  Potomac  on  the  iron  bridge,  marched  a 
short  distance  up  the  Shenandoah,  halted  and  stacked  arms.  This 
was  an  important  move  to  the  regiment.  For  the  first  time  the 
Eighteenth  trod  the  "sacred  soil"  of  Virginia.  In  the  gray  light 


92  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


of  that  memorable  morning,  the  romantic  scenery  of  this  re 
nowned  place  greeted  the  eyes  of  our  men.  On  the  right  rose 
Maryand  Heights  in  surpassing  grandeur,  on  the  left  London 
Heights,  as  black  as  night,  seemed  to  stand  as  a  mighty  barrier 
between  the  rebel  and  Union  forces,  while  at  the  same  time,  each 
dusky  point  in  the  landscape  seemed  to  the  excited  soldiers  to 
bristle  with  rebel  bushwhackers,  waiting  to  pounce  upon  any 
Union  soldier  coming  within  their  reach.  Immediately  in  front 
was  Bolivar  Heights,  the  east  side  dotted  with  dwellings,  three 
churches  and  a  cemetery.  The  latter  had  been  often  desecrated 
by  Union  and  rebel  soldiers.  One  of  the  churches  was  used  as  a 
prison  for  rebel  citizens  and  prisoners  of  war  and  the  other  for  a 
horse  stable.  This  use  of  the  sacred  edifice  was,  of  course,  con 
sidered  by  the  citizens  a  greater  act  of  profanation  than  anything 
else.  The  object  of  the  greatest  interest  was  the  engine  house 
at  the  foot  of  Bolivar,  near  the  railroad  station,  in  which  "Old 
John  Brown"  was  taken  prisoner.  The  regiment  remained  here 
through  the  day  and  until  5  P.  M.,  in  the  mean  time,  as  far  as 
practicable,  examining  the  different  points  of  interest  with  plea 
sure  and  wonder.  It  was  the  first  time  the  boys  had  had  a  real 
view  of  the  desolation  of  war;  the  public  buildings  were  in  ruins, 
churches  and  dwelling  houses  in  dilapidated  condition,  and  on 
every  hand  were  the  marks  of  martial  retribution  against  the 
men  who  had  plunged  the  nation  into  a  civil  war. 

The  raid  of  "Old  John  Brown"  was  freely  discussed,  and  his 
tragic  fate  considered  the  filling  up  of  the  cup  of  iniquity,  of 
which  these  guilty  men  were  to  drink  to  its  very  dregs.  The 
blighting  effects  of  the  war  were  at  no  point  more  visible  than 
here.  Harper's  Ferry,  before  the  war,  was  noted  for  the  finest 
and  grandest  scenery  in  all  the  South.  Jefferson,  in  his  notes  on 
Virginia,  says:  "It  is  worth  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  to  see 
the  wild  beaut)'  of  this  place."  It  was  sad  to  witness  the  changes 
produced  by  the  war.  During  the  day  Companies  D,  G  and  I 
rejoined  the  regiment.  These  companies,  as  already  stated 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  93 


had  preceded  the  regiment  to  Harper's  Ferry,  having  left  Balti 
more  on  Wednesday,  the  2Oth.  They  had  spent  two  days  on 
Maryland  heights,  where  the)'  had  a  fine  opportunity  to  view  the 
scenery  of  the  Ferry,  and  surrounding  country  for  twenty  miles 
around. 

The  regiment  was  together  once  more,  with  the  exception  of 
a  squad  of  Company  A,  which  had  been  left  at  Elkton  and  Chesa 
peake  City.  The  reunion  was  hailed  with  pleasure,  and  many 
and  hearty  congratulations  were  exchanged  during  the  day.  At 
five  P.  M.  the  bugle  sounded,  and  soon  the  regiment  was  on  the 
road  to  Winchester. 

Marched  until  about  -ten  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  halted  for  the 
night  under  cover  of  the  woods.  The  men  rolled  themselves 
up  in  their  blankets  and  were  soon  in  the  land  of  dreams.  First 
clay's  march  ten  miles. 

At  five  A.  M.,  the  24th,  on  the  march  again.  In  about  half  an 
hour  passed  through  Charlestown.  It  was  early  dawn  of  Sunday. 
Our  drums  brought  the  people  in  crowds  to  the  doors  and  win 
dows.  A  strong  rebel  place  it  was,  whence  John  Brown's  soul 
was  released  from  his  body  on  the  scaffold  and  sent  "marching 
along."  Obtained  only  a  passing  view  of  the  town,  as  no  halt 
was  made,  but  many  patriotic  demonstrations  were  given  by  the 
Yankees,  much  to  the  disgust  of  the  murderers  of  the  old  mar 
tyr,  and  would-be-murderers  of  every  Northern  soldier  now  tread 
ing  the  soil  of  Virginia.  No  American  Mag  greeted  the  regiment 
here,  save  that  which  indicated  the  presence  of  a  Union  cavalry 
force,  stationed  at  this  point  to  remind  the  rebel  citizens  of  their 
relation  to  the  Union.  After  marching  about  six  miles,  halt  for 
an  hour,  ate  hard-tack  and  salt  junk,  marched  again  until  eleven 
o'clock  A.  M.,  and  then  rested  until  six  P.  M.  That  night  en 
camped  within  half  a  mile  of  Berryville.  It  had  been  a  very  hot 
day,  a  few  men  fell  out  by  the  way,  a  few  were  sick,  and  all 
were  more  or  less  foot-sore.  Extra  blankets  and  clothing  were 
at  a  discount.  Although  the  march  of  this  day  was  only  about 


94  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


eight  miles,  yet  it  was  a  hard  one,  and  many  threw  away  their 
overcoats  and  blankets,  an  act  which  they  soon  repented.  All 
along  the  route  from  Harper's  Ferry  were  numerous  evidences 
of  the  war — fences  destroyed,  buildings  gutted  or  burned,  dead 
horses  along  the  route,  and  many  other  signs  of  the  desolations 
of  war.  The  realities  of  war  began  to  look  more  serious  to  the 
Eighteenth.  Soldiering  was  no  boy's  play.  We  shall  state  only 
the  truth  if  we  say  that  many  a  one  that  night  looked  back  to 
ward  Baltimore,  and  up  the  road,  with  longing  and  appreciative 
desires.  Eighteen  miles  oi  marching  under  a  burning  sun  told 
heavily  on  men  who  had  been  doing  guard  or  post  duty  for  nine 
months,  and  if  they  did  not  sleep  that  night  it  was  because 
they  were  too  tired  and  foot-sore.  Many  felt,  too,  the  loss  of 
the  blankets  and  overcoats  they  had  recklessly  parted  with  on 
the  march.  Monday  morning,  May  25th,  passed  through  Berry- 
ville  at  about  six  o'clock,  which  was  another  intensely  traitorous 
town.  The  people  generally  could  not  refrain  from  manifesting 
some  tokens  of  their  displeasure  at  the  presence  of  Union  sol 
diers,  a  few  only,  appeared  friendly.  On  the  next  three  or  four 
miles  made  one  or  two  halts,  and  forded  one  or  two  "runs." 
Near  the  last  were  several  dwellings,  where  a  halt  was  taken, 
and  many  of  the  men  obtained  milk  and  bread  to  go  with  their 
rations.  One  man  showed  considerable  rebel  spite,  and  some  of 
the  soldiers  handled  him  rather  roughly.  The  last  stream  forded 
was  about  knee  deep.  1  he  water  made  the  men's  feet  more 
tender  and  sensitive,  yet  they  trudged  on,  and  reached  Winches 
ter,  after  a  march  of  twelve  miles,  in  good  spirits,  going  into  camp 
about  two  miles  below  the  town.  The  situation  was  a  pleasant 
one,  rations  were  good,  water  excellent — the  best  the  regiment 
had  found  as  yet — and  life  wore  a  more  cheerful  aspect.  The 
Eighteenth  had  got  through  playing  soldier  and  were  preparing 
now  for  an  active  campaign,  yet  they  were  cheerful  and  hopeful. 
Everything  in  the  vicinity  of  Winchester  indicated  lively  times 
at  hand.  Rumors  were  rife  of  an  advance  of  the  rebel  army 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  95 


down  the  Shenandoah  valley.  The  defeat  of  Gen.  Hooker  at 
Chancellorsville,  and  his  rapid  retreat  over  the  Rappahannock, 
made  the  Confederates  more  exultant  and  defiant  than  ever. 
True  their  losses  were  great  and  serious,  and  their  pursuit  of 
Hooker's  left  wing,  consisting  in  part  of  the  Eleventh  corps,  under 
Gen.  Howard,  had  been  effectually  checked,  causing  them  morti 
fication  and  chagrin,  as  they  supposed  that  the  Federal  army  was 
totally  defeated  at  one  time,  and  a  signal  victory  had  been 
achieved.  The  rebel  papers,  however,  were  full  of  glowing  des 
criptions  of  Stonewall  Jackson's  famous  onslaught  on  the  Yan 
kees,  and  the  almost  total  annihilation-of  Gen.  Howard's  division. 
But  the  rebels  were  more  or  less  deceived  as  to  the  real  injury 
they  had  inflicted  upon  the  Union  army.  Gen.  Hooker,  though 
out-generalled  by  Lee,  was  not  disheartened,  and  with  great 
boldness  and  skill  had  moved  his  shattered  forces  to  a  position 
of  security  and  defence,  which  greatly  surprised  the  enemy  and 
baffled  pursuit.  Still  the  enemy  were  hopeful  and  defiant.  The 
general  sentiment  in  the  South  at  that  time  was  in  favor  of  an 
aggressive  movement,  Lee  was  urged  to  make  an  immediate  ad 
vance,  and  every  day's  delay  made  the  Southern  people  more 
restless  and  clamorous.  The  golden  opportunity  might  be  lost. 
The  rebels  chafed  because  the  Northern  people  were  in  compara 
tive  security  and  prosperity,  their  homes  undisturbed  by  destruc 
tive  armies,  and  their  property  untouched  by  the  hands  of  the 
invaders.  The  South  were  fighting  at  arms'  length  and  with 
great  odds  against  them.  In  their  ignorance  of  the  situation, 
they  believed  the  time  had  come  to  carry  the  war  into  the  very 
heart  of  the  North,  and  hence  urged  their  generals  to  push  on 
their  victorious  columns  into  the  rich  farmlands  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  give  the  people  there  a  stinging  impression  of  the  superiority 
of  Southern  armies,  and  a  keener  sense  of  the  stern  meaning  of 
war.  Bitter  retaliation  on  the  North!  Carry  the  war  into  the  heart 
of  the  enemy's  country  was  the  Southern  cry  everywhere.  It 
was  known  too  that  there  was  a  peace-party  at  the  North,  ready 


96  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


to  betray  the  cause  of  freedom,  that  there  was  dissatisfaction  and 
demoralization  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac  after  the  battle  of 
Chancellorsville,  and  other  things  of  a  depressing  character,  all 
of  which  encouraged  the  Confederates  in  their  boastful  anticipa 
tions.  The  rebel  generals  expected  to  accomplish  as  the  result 
of  Hooker's  defeat,  the  capture  of  Washington,  a  general  forage 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  consequently  the  taking  of  Baltimore  and 
other  places  of  great  advantage  to  their  cause.  That  such  a 
magnificent  plan  should  have  seemed  feasible  to  Gen.  Lee  was  not, 
under  the  circumstances  very  surprising.  And  yet  it  was  a  military 
mistake,  freighted  with  the  most  terrible  consequences  to  the 
rebel  cause.  The  rebel  press  made  no  secret  of  the  purpose  to 
humilate  the  North  and  conquer  a  peace.  They  published 
their  intentions  widely  and  boldly,  and  discussed  the  comparative 
advantages  of  different  routes,  by  which  their  armies  might  suc 
ceed  in  their  project.  Each  day  revealed  some  new  movement 
on  the  part  of  Lee.  His  whole  army  was  now  in  motion,  but 
Gen.  Hooker  was  also  on  the  alert,  and  by  a  bold  and  suc 
cessful  dash  on  Stuart's  cavalry  by  Gen.  Pleasanton,  he  brought 
about  the  general  order  for  a  rebel  advance.  It  was  at  this 
juncture  that  a  force  was  collected  at  Winchester,  under  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Milroy,  a  part  of  which  embraced  the  Eigh 
teenth  Connecticut. 

From  the  time  of  our  arrival  in  Winchester  the  valley  began  to 
swarm  with  guerillas  and  rebel  cavalry,  under  Imboden  and 
Jones,  ready  to  "gobble  up"  the  Union  soldiers.  It  was  not 
thought  that  the  Federal  force  at  this  point  was  sufficient  to  cope 
with  the  hostile  force  in  front,  as  it  consisted  of  not  more  than 
six  or  seven  thousand  men,  and  was  intended  to  keep  watch  of 
Lee's  army,  and  serve  as  a  check  to  his  advance.  Gen.  Milroy's 
little  army  was  kept  busy  working  on  the  defenses  and  making 
reconnoissances,  and  the  Eighteenth  did  its  full  share  of  this  work. 
"We  begin  now,"  writes  a  regimental  correspendent,  "to  see  what 
a  soldier's  life  is,  but  we  like  it.  Our  camp  is  on  the  battlefield 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  97 


where  Gen.  Banks  met  Gen.  Stonewall  Jackson's  forces,  and  the 
former  retreated,  The  gateway  that  opened  to  give  us  admit 
tance  was  where  the  Fifth  Connecticut  lost  so  many  men  just  one 
year  previous  to  the  day  of  our  arrival." 

The  camp  was  near  the  Shawnee  Springs.  In  a  southwesterly 
direction,  about  twenty  rods  away,  was  a  house  said  to  be  the 
place  where  Gen.  Washington's  wife  was  born  and  bred.  An  old 
lady,  who  lived  in  the  house,  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the 
battle  referred  to  above,  pointing  out  the  place  where  she  count 
ed  sixteen  South  Carolina  dead  after  Banks'  retreat.  The  Eight 
eenth  was  now  fairly  at  the  front,  there  being  only  videttes  be 
tween  them  and  the  rebel  line.  The  first  day's  work  at  Winches 
ter  was  full  of  interest.  A  large  party  was  sent  out  on  Front 
Royal  road  for  picket  duty,  and  to  be  a  guard  to  the  wood- 
choppers,  as  it  was  considered  very  unsafe  to  go  on  that  business, 
or  any  other,  without  a  protective  force  in  front.  A  sharp  look 
out  was  kept  through  the  day  for  bush-whacking  rebels,  who 
were  thought  to  be  not  far  away.  But  on  the  whole  the  men 
were  pleased  with  their  new  situation.  The  surroundings  of 
Winchester,  at  this  season,  were  beautiful — the  view  of  the 
mountain  scenery  magnificent,  and  the  valley  was  filled  with  in 
teresting  pictures  on  either  side. 

But  Winchester  itself  did  not  present  many  attractions.  It  al 
ready  showed  us  plainly  the  marks  of  war.  Here  and  there  might 
be  seen  an  attractive  buildino-  but  most  of  them  indicated  that 

o7 

their  owners  were  at  least  ''fifty  years  behind  the  times."  The 
presence  of  old  houses,  the  cracks  filled  with  clay,  and  the  absence 
of  churches  and  school  houses  were  a  subject  of  general  remark. 
Everything  indicated  a  lack  of  intelligence  and  enterprise.  The 
curse  of  slavery  was  everywhere  visible,  and  the  degradation 
and  humiliation  of  the  poor  whites  and  blacks  was  a  sad  sight  to 
men  who  had  been  blessed  with  a  home  of  intelligence,  and  plenty 
in  New  England. 

Nine    teams  arrived    with    tents    and  camp    utensils,  which 
si 


98  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


were  set  up  during  the  day.  A  squad  of  men  came  in  from  picket 
duty  and  said  they  liked  it  first  rate.  Also  a  foraging  party  came 
in  at  night  with  one  hundred  sheep,  fifty  head  of  cattle,  one  old 
mule  and  nine  or  ten  wagon  loads  of  grain,  taken  from  the 
citizens.  This  was  thought  to  be  a  pretty  good  day's  work  for 
the  first  one.  The  men  enjoyed  their  discoveries  and  took  special 
pleasure  in  the  account  of  their  captures.  If  any  citizens  took 
the  oath  of  allegiance  they  were  said  to  be  adequately  paid  for 
their  stock  and  grain.  Company  A.  also  came  in  from  a  scout, 
giving  a  pleasant  account  of  their  experiences  while  absent. 
Thursday,  May  28th,  opened  with  a  splendid  morning;  battalion 
drill  in  the  afternoon,  lasting  about  one.  hour  and  a  half.  Next 
formed  a  line  of  battle" and  marched  into  the  woods  over  stone 
walls,  rocks  and  other  obstructions,  the  men  keeping  a  splendid 
line;  drilling  the  order  of  the  day  when  not  otherwise  employed. 
May  29th.  A  squad  of  the  regiment  were  sent  in  different 
directions  to-day,  some  of  the  men  entering  a  fine  agricultural 
region,  famous  for  wheat  mills,  but  the  army  had  made  sad  havoc 
with  the  whole  country,  and  spread  desolation  everywhere.  At 
five  P.  M.  a  squad  of  Company  K  were  sent  out,  who  spent  the 
night  near  an  old  flour  mill.  All  quiet  along  the  lines.  Lieut. 
Blanchard  who  had  been  detailed  the  day  previous  with  twenty 
men,  accompanied  by  two  of  Uncle  Sam's  scouts,  returned  to 
camp.  He  had  marched  about  twenty  miles,  to  put  into  effect 
the  emancipation  proclamation.  They  arrived  at  the  place  of 
their  destination,  says  a  correspondent,  a  splendid  and  costly 
dwelling,  about  ten  P.  M..  and  surrounded  the  house.  When 
the  inmates,  all  females,  saw  the  blue  backs,  there  was  skedad 
dling  for  the  doors,  but  the  glistening  bayonets  so  effected  their 
imaginations  that  they  retreated  to  the  attics  and  extinguished 
the  lights.  It  was  sometime  before  any  one  could  be  found  to 
answer  the  summons  for  admission.  When  the  household 
did  appear,  they  were  informed  that  quarters  for  twenty-five  men 
vyere  needed.  The  lady  of  the  house  told  Lieut.  Blanchard  they 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  99 


could  stay  in  the  barn.  That  would  not  answer,  the  boys  may  get 
to  smoking  and  set  the  buildings  on  fire,  was  the  reply.  At  length 
the  lieutenant  was  invited  to  enter  the  parlor  for  consultation. 
The  result  was  the  boys  slept  where  they  pleased,  and  helped 
themselves  to  such  rations  as  they  coulcl  find.  There  were  fifteen 
or  twenty  slaves  on  the  premises,  and  these  were  set  to  work  mak 
ing  hoe-cakes;  and  a  plenty  of  milk  being  found,  cakes  and  milk 
were  served  up  for  supper,  much  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  whole 
detachment.  It  was  ascertained  that  the  owner  was  a  rebel 
quarter-master,  and  the  boys  thought  they  had  a  right  to  put  in 
a  requisition  for  anything  they  wanted,  and  they  did  so.  After 
a  good  sleep  the  men  were  much  refreshed,  and  the  next  morning 
found  them  bright  and  hopeful.  Breakfast  was  ordered  with  as 
much  freedom  as  though  they  were  in  a  Northern  hotel,  and  was 
promptly  served.  Lieutenant  Blanchard  and  the  scouts  were 
invited  to  breakfast  with  the  ladies,  and  were  not  slow  in  accept 
ing  the  invitation;- on  which  occasion  Northern  gallantry  was  not 
wholly  unappreciated.  The  lady  of  the  house  said  she  had  been 
visited  several  times  in  this  manner,  and  sometimes  rudely 
treated,  but  this  company  had  been*  considerate,  and  she  thanked 
them  for  their  kind  and  gentlemanly  treatment.  All  the  slaves, 
who  wished  to  do  so,  had  the  privilege  of  returning  with  Lieut. 
Blanchard,  and  one  family  did  so.  The  requisition  on  this  rebel 
quarter-master  was  two  yoke  of  oxen,  one  wagon  and  two  hand 
some  cream  colored  horses. 

May  3Oth,  was  an  unusually  interesting  and  exciting  day.  It 
was  Sunday,  and  the  day  had  been  appointed  by  the  rebels  for 
the  transfer  of  any  families,  who  desired,  to  enter  the  Union  lines. 
A  squad  of  cavalry  were  ordered  to  accompany  the  Eighteenth 
with  a  flag  of  truce  toward  Strasburg,  with  transportation,  to 
receive  those  families  whose  husbands  had  deserted  the  rebel 
cause,  and  enlisted  in  the  Union  army.  The  regiment  proceeded 
to  Newtown,  eight  miles,  Company  B  being  the  advance  guard, 
and  leading  the  regiment  about  one  mile.  Halted  in  Iront  of  a 


ioo  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


house  occupied  by  a  rebel  physician.  He  was  courteous  and 
brought  out  chairs,  awd  permitted  the  company  to  seat  themselves, 
or  lie  down  on  the  grass  in  his  front  yard,  under  the  trees.  Re 
mained  here  four  or  five  hours,  while  the  cavalry  went  into  the 
rebel  lines,  and  returned  with  about  a  dozen  families,  which  were 
poorly  dressed,  had  little  or  no  furniture,  and  looked  the  picture 
of  want  and  starvation.  The  boys  collected  what  food  they  could 
for  them,  and  it  was  pleasant  to  see  the  appetite  with  which  these 
poor  creatures  ate  hard  tack  and  pork.  The  whole  party  re 
turned  to  Winchester  about  six  P.  M.,  tired  and  hungry.  The 
return  march  was  rapid,  some  of  the  time  on  the  double  quick, 
but  in  good  order.  No  rebels  were  seen  during  the  day.  Such 
expeditions  became  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  indicated  more 
lively  times  at  hand. 

But  for  the  desolations  war  had  made,  the  situation  of  the 
Eighteenth  would  have  been  exceedingly  interesting  and  beauti 
ful.  Every  one  was  full  of  admiration  for  the  natural  scenery 
around  Winchester.  Hut  windowless,  dilapidated,  and  tenantless 
houses  and  the  presence  of  martial  paraphernalia,  and  the  fre 
quent  movements  of  the  army,  hardly  comported  with  the  quiet 
beauty  which  seemed  to  reign  everywhere.  There  was  company 
drill  in  the  morning,  and  regimental  target  firing  in  the  afternoon 
Company  K  made  the  best  shot — not  a  single  gun  missed  fire. 
A  very  pleasant  day,  and  nothing  exciting  occurred,  save  a  rumor 
that  Gen.  Lee  was  on  his  way  down  the  Valley.  Company  F  was 
detailed  for  service  on  the  earth-works  above  the  town,  preparing 
to  give  the  rebels  a  warm  reception. 

June  2d,  an  exciting  day.  Had  the  usual  company  drill  in 
the  forenoon,  and  battalion  drill  in  the  afternoon,  Col.  Ely 
commanding.  There  came  a  rumor  that  the  pickets  had  been 
driven  in  and  an  attack  was  expected.  Company  D  worked  on 
artillery  road.  At  nine  P.  M.  muskets  were  loaded  and  every 
thing  was  in  readiness  to  repel  at  attack.  The  regiment  slept  on 
their  arms  that  night,  but  some  of  the  men  were  incredulous  as 
to  the  near  approach  of  the  enemy. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  101 


June  3d.  Had  the  first  rain  since  the  regiment  left  Baltimore 
—  -eleven  days.  A  large  guard  was  sent  to  do  picket  duty  at  the 
Union  Mills,  on  the  Strasburg  road.  At  this  time  these  mills 
were  doing  a  heavy  business  for  the  government.  The  situation 
was  fine  and  commanding.  At  three  P.  M.  there  was  an  alarm, 
and  about  fifty  cavalry  and  four  or  five  scouts  were  sent  out 
towards  Newtown.  At  dusk  one  hundred  arid  seventy  more 
cavalry  went  in  the  same  direction,  and  six  companies  of  the 
Eighteenth  followed  as  a  supporting  column.  About  ten  P.  1VL 
a  cavalryman  came  in  with  a  report  that  there  was  fighting  at 
Newtown.  The  alarm  was  given,  and  the  guard  at  the  mills  ran 
down  to  a  bridge,  a  short  distance  away,  in  order  to  rip  it  up  if 
there  was  an  advance  of  the  rebels.  It  proved  to  be  a  false 
alarm.  A  party  of  Pennsylvania  cavalry  had  come  unexpectedly 
upon  a  company  of  Virginia  Union  cavalry,  which  had  caused  the 
unusual  excitement. 

June  4th.  Several  parties  were  sent  out  scouting,  while  others 
worked  on  the  rirle-pits  near  the  fort.  Company  B  was  prac 
ticed  in  skirmish  drill,  and  highly  complimented  as  being  a  well 
drilled  company.  One  scouting  party  came  upon  a  squad  of 
five  bush-whackers  in  a  "bush-house"  asleep,  but  succeeded  in 
capturing  only  three  of  them,  an  achievement  that  excited  much 
criticism  and  laughter  among  the  men,  as  it  was  thought  to  be 
hardly  the  proper  thing  to  let  such  a  sleepy  set  of  fellows  get 
away. 

June  5th.  Lively  times  to-day.  Hard  drilling  in  the  fore 
noon.  The  Sixth  Maryland  and  Twelfth  Virginia  regiments  went 
into  camp  near  the  Eighteenth.  About  three  P.  M.  the  order 
was  given  to  "strike  tents."  In  fifteen  minutes  the  work  was 
done,  and  the  regiment  moved  about  forty  rods  and  tents  were 
pitched  again.  Some  of  the  men  went  out  foraging  for  leather 
and  nails  to  fit  up  gun  racks.  They  were  successful,  and  every 
thing  went  on  merrily.  Extra  pickets  were  thrown  out  that  night, 
and  at  half-past  seven  o'clock  many  of  the  men  went  to  their 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


posts  supperless.  Subsequently,  however,  the  ''slaughter  house" 
was  visited  and  a  supply  of  beef  obtained. 

The  men  were  beginning  to  bear  the  many  interruptions,  and 
sudden  movements  of  a  soldier's  life  with  light  hearted  philosophy. 
Matters  were  daily  becoming  more  serious,  and  no  one  knew 
what  an  hour  might  bring  forth. 

June  6th.  About  this  time  the  squad  of  Company  A,  which 
had  been  left  in  Maryland  and  Delaware  arrived  at  Winchester, 
via  Martinsburg.  While  at  the  latter  place  there  had  been  great 
excitement  in  expectation  of  an  immediate  attack  from  the  rebels. 
The  prospect  of  joining  the  regiment  was  at  one  time  nearly 
given  up  by  the  squad,  but  at  length  the  order  was  given  to 
march.  The  detachment  left  Martinsburg  about  noon,  and  after 
a  forced  march,  arrived  in  camp  about  nine  o'clock,  the  same  even 
ing.  It  was  a  hard  march  of  twenty-two  miles,  and  the  men  were 
much  exhausted. 

The  re-union  was  very  pleasing  to  all,  and  Company  A  \vas 
placed  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  other  companies,  as  to  number 
and  efficiency.  The  same  day  a  detachment  with  -Company  C, 
Eighty-Seventh  Pennsylvania  were  sent  out  on  a  scout,  accom 
panied  by  two  guides.  Marched  out  on  the  Front  Royal  road, 
about  one  mile,  then  struck  into  the  woods,  and  after  a  tramp  of 
nearly  ten  miles,  came  near  the  Shenandoah  river,  where  they 
camped  for  the  night.  Rain  fell  during  the  night;,  however,  a 
good  sleep  war,  obtained  and  the  next  morning,  at  four  A.  M., 
were  on  the  march  again.  After  two  miles,  halted  for  breakfast 
of  hard  tack  and  pork.  "A  very  good  meal,"  said  one  of  the 
company,  one  of  the  hungry  ones,  we  presume.  The  detachment 
followed  a  stream  for  a  while,  then  crossed  it  on  a  rail,  after 
which  the  companies  divided,  a  part  taking  the  valley,  and  the 
other  marching  over  the  hills. 

After  going  a  considerable  distance,  halted  and  rested  about 
two  hours.  Nearly  all  citizens  on  this  route  had  protection  pa 
pers  from  Gen.  Milroy.  Pound  a  large  deserted  stone  mansion 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  103 


furnished  in  the  finest  style.  Its  surroundings  were  beautiful,  be 
ing  in  the  midst  of  a  splendid  white-oak  grove,  while  rich  mead 
ows,  green  and  luxuriant,  opening  but  a  short  way  from  the 
scene,  were  very  inviting.  A  fruitless  search  was  made  for 
"bush-whackers,"  but  something  better  was  discovered — a  large 
pork  ham,  which  was  speedily  captured  and  placed  under  guard; 
coffee  was  made,  and  after  the  soldiers'  usual  report,  pickets 
were  thrown  out,  and  the  command  lay  down  to  sleep.  Were 
awakened  about  three  o'clock  next  morning  by  the  firing  of  two 
muskets.  Instant  preparation  was  made  to  receive  the  rebels, 
but  instead  of  those  visitors  two  negroes  rode  up  who  had  been 
tired  upon  by  the  Union  pickets.  During  the  night  three  rebels 
were  taken  prisoners.  After  this  scare,  and  breakfast  being  over, 
resumed  marching  and  in  a  short  time  took  another  prisoner. 
Rations  began  to  fail,  and  another  search  was  made  for  food. 
About  noon  came  to  another  lar^e  farm-house — the  owner  had 

c> 

gone  to  Winchester  to  take  the  oath.  But  little  provision  was 
obtained  here,  and  the  troops  plodded  on  until  about  four  P.  M. 
when  they  arrived  in  camp  after  marching  forty  or  fifty  miles. 

Nothing  of  special  interest  occurred  on  the  gth  and  loth  save 
that  there  was  more  trouble  with  the  pickets.  It  was  growing 
daily  more  apparent  that  the  rumors  of  Lee's  advance  were  only 
too  true.  A  large  force  was  reported  on  its  way  frum  Manassas 
Gap.  At  two  A.  M.,  the  nth,  there  was  an  alarm;  tents  were 
struck,  the  regiment  was  soon  in  line,  and  arms  were  stacked, 
waiting  for  further  orders.  At  eight  o'clock  A.  M.  an  order  was 
given  to  unload  the  wagons  and  pitch  tents,  and  in  a  short  time 
the  camp  of  the  Eighteenth  assumed  its  usual  appearance.  At 
this  juncture  Company  K  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  old 
camp  ground  and  take  clown  the  flag-staff.  Before  the  work  was 
completed  the  bugle  sounded  the  "general  assembly,"  and  there 
was  a  return  to  camp  on  the  double  quick  to  join  in  a  general 
review.  Gen.  Milroy  and  Gen.  Tyler  reviewed  eight  companies 
of  the  regiment,  which  were  complimented  for  their  fine  appear- 


104  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


ance,  although  they  had  been  out  all  the  night  before  and  were 
tired  and  jaded.  To-day  ten  men  of  Company  D  were  ordered 
to  arrest  a  man  named  Baldwin,  a  rebel  doctor,  and  belonging  to 
the  aristocracy  of  the  town.  But  the  man  was  rebellious  and  re 
fused  to  obey  Gen.  Milroy's  order,  and  accordingly  he  was  given 
only  one  hour  to  move  with  his  whole  family  further  south.  His 
wife  was  very  indignant,  and  with  the  usual  spirit  of  rebel  ladies 
joined  her  neighbors  in  invoking  all  manner  of  curses  upon  the 
Yankees,  and  especially  upon  Gen.  Milroy,  the  general  having 
made  himself  very  obnoxious  to  the  rebel  citizens  by  treating 
them  with  but  little  consideration.  Notwithstanding  this  mani 
festation  of  Southern  spirit,  the  doctor  and  his' family  were  taken 
beyond  the  Union  lines  and  left  to  the  tender  charity  of  their 
Southern  brethren. 

At  this  time  but  few  citizens  were  left  in  the  town  except  old 
men  and  women,  and  some  of  these  were  looking  every  day  for 
the  Confederates  to  appear  and  drive  away  the  hated  Yankees. 
It  is  not  surprising  that  the  presence  of  the  Union  army  was 
very  annoying.  The  iron  rule  of  a  provost  marshal  was  not  to 
be  acquiesced  in  without  a  display  of  a  bitter  animosity.  No 
person,  male  or  female,  was  allowed  to  purchase  any  article  at  the 
store  without  a  permit  from  the  powers  that  be,  and  no  one  was 
given  such  a  permit  unless  he  or  she  took  the  "iron-clad  oath." 
Company  D  had  not  a  little  of  this  unpleasant  work  to  do  in 
compelling  from  citizens  a  proper  respect  for  the  Federal  gov 
ernment,  and  an  acknowledgment  of  its  rights. 

This  company  was  quartered  in  the  town,  occupying  buildings 
each  side  of  the  court-house  on  Main  Street,  and  they  had  all  the 
room  they  wanted,  though  many  of  the  houses  were  without 
windows  and  doors. 

A  soldier  correspondent  at  this  date,  takes  the  following  view:  "I 
do  think  the  rebels  will  venture  to  attack  this  place,  but  if  they  do 
we  are  prepared  to  receive  them."  On  that  very  day  Gen.  Mil 
roy  received  information  from  his  scouts  of  the  approach  of  Gen, 


Chaplain    WILLIAM  C.  WALKER. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  105 


Swell's  corps  of  Lee's  army,  consisting  of  a  large  force,  with  sixty 
to  seventy  pieces  of  artillery,  the  advance  of  which  reached  the 
Union  pickets  on  Friday,  the  i2th.  Early  next  morning  the 
Eighteenth  was  ordered  to  work  on  the  fortifications. 

The  Eighty-Seventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry  were  ordered  out 
in  the  direction  of  Newtown,  the  rebels  having  been  reported  there. 
After  a  few  hours  the  Eighteenth  were  startled  by  a  "low  rumb 
ling  sound  in  the  distance,  and  the  cry  was  heard  on  every  side, 
'they  have  found  the  rebels  and  the  Eighty-Seventh  Pennsylvania 
are  giving  them  grape.' '  And  while  they  listened  to  the  distant 
roar  and  din  of  battle  for  the  first  time,  it  created  intense  excite 
ment  and  a  desire  to  participate  in  the  fray.  Said  one:  "I  wish 
we  could  only  get  one  chance  at  them.  They  never  give  us  any 
thing  to  do."  Lieut.  Caruthers,  Company  H,  who  heard  the  re 
mark  and  who  had  smelt  powder  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
said  to  himself,  "Don't  be  in  a  hurry,  boys,  you  will  have  your 
full  share  of  fighting  at  no  distant  day."  But  perhaps  he  did 
not  think  the  time  would  come  so  soon  as  it  did. 

The  i3th  day  of  June  was  a  memorable  one  in  the  history  of 
the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers.  From  the  time  of  their 
arrival  at  Winchester,  on  May  25th,  the  regiment  had  occupied 
the  right  of  the  Second  Brigade,  Milro/s  division,  under  the  im 
mediate  command  of  Col.  Ely,  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols  was  in  command 
of  the  regiment.  Before  day-break  the  rebel  cavalry  made  an  at 
tack  upon  the  Federal  pickets,  but  were  promptly  repulsed. 
By  this  time  Gen.  Milroy  was  fully  apprized  of  their  design,  it 
became  evident  that  a  strong  rebel  force  was  advancing.  It  is 
unaccountable  that  Milroy  did  not  find  this  out  before.  Why  he 
should  have  been  so  completely  surprised  with  the  means  of  in 
formation  at  his  command,  being  in  a  valley  bounded  both  right 
and  left  by  mountain  ranges,  so  favorable  for  observation,  has 
never  been  satisfactorily  explained.  The  latest  dispatches  from 
Winchester  even  on  the  1 2th  of  June,  represented  the  situation  as 
perfectly  safe,  the  army  in  the  best  spirits,  and  more  than  willing 
to  meet  the  enemy,  so  great  was  the  assurance  of  success, 


io6  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


"Let  the  rebels  come"  was  the  cry  on  every  hand,  "we'll  give 
them  all  they  want;"  and  come  they  did.  When  the  firing  com 
menced  on  the  Front  Royal  road  there  was  intense  excitement. 
The  order  was  given  to  strike  tents,  the  rebels  were  advancing  in 
force.  This  was  quickly  done,  but  soon  the  order  was  given  to 
pitch  tents  again.  It  was  said  that  the  reported  advance  of  the 
rebels  was  only  a  scouting  party.  Tents  were  soon  replaced,  and 
the  word  went  down  the  line,  "rest  and  take  it  easy."  By  this 
time  there  was  some  loud  criticism,  if  not  swearing,  by  a  few  of 
the  men  who  were  wholly  ignorant  of  the  state  of  affairs  and 
knew  not  their  danger.  "Why  don't  the  rebels  come  on?"  was 
heard  from  many  lips.  "Wait  a  while,"  was  the  comment  of 
others.  Then  came  the-  order  to  strike  tents.  This  order  was 
obeyed  with  dispatch  for  the  report  of  an  advance  of  the  rebels 
was  true  enough.  The  regiment  was  soon  in  line;,  muskets  were 
loaded,  and  everything  was  ready.  "This  looks  like  business," 
said  a  soldier  looking  down  the  line.  Many  anxious  eyes  were 
piercing  the  fields  and  woods  in  the  distance.  Not  a  word,  not 
a  murmur  was  heard.  It  was  the  most  anxious  moment  the 
Eighteenth  Regiment  had  ever  experienced.  Finally  Compa 
nies  A  and  B  were  ordered  out  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  were 
followed  by  Companies  H,  F  and  I,  with  a  section  of  Randolph's 
United  States  regular  battery,  as  a  support.  The  latter  took  a  po 
sition  on  a  small  eminence,  while  Companies  A  and  B  felt  their 
way  to  the  woods  where  the  enemy  awaited  them,  and  who 
opened  a  brisk  fire  as  soon  as  these  companies  came  within 
range,  But  the  men  pushed  on,  seemingly  without  the  least  ap 
prehension  of  receiving  a  serious  check.  Just  then  Lieut.  Spoon- 
er,  in  command  of  the  battery,  gave  the  order:  "Number  one, 
fire,  and  be  sure  of  your  aim.  Number  two.  fire;"  and  the  shells 
went  whizzing  and  screaming  into  the  woods  in  advance  of  our 

o  o 

skirmishers,  causing  a  great  commotion  among  the  concealed 
rebels.  At  this  time  all  of  the  five  companies  mentioned  above 
were  under  fire  for  the  first  time.  The  rebels  had  planted  a  six 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  107 


gun  battery  within  easy  range  of  our  line,  in  spite  of  the  skirmish 
ers,  and  were  working  it  hotly  right  and  left.  Shells  were  flying 
and  bursting,  and  it  became  painfully  evident  that  the  rebels 
were  in  greater  force  than  was  anticipated.  The  order  was  given 
to  our  skirmishers  to  fall  back,  following  in  the  rear  of  the  bat 
tery.  This  movement  was  effected  in  good  order,  and  a  new  po 
sition  was  taken  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  where  the  whole  regi 
ment,  with  the  exception  of  Company  D,  acted  as  a  support  to  the 
battery.  This  battery  had  one  caission  blown  up,  killing  one 
man  and  wounding  another.  Michael  Hanley,  of  Company  A, 
was  wounded  in  the  leg  soon  after  the  skirmish  commenced. 
From  this  new  position  Battery  L  opened  a  brisk  fire,  which  was 
responded  to  with  great  vigor,  the  shells  flying  over  the  Eight 
eenth,  which  lay  as  a  support  behind  a  wall  immediately  in  the 
rear  of  the  Federal  guns.  At  this  juncture  the  large  guns  from 
the  main  fort,  located  a  half  mile  to  the  northwest  of  Winchester, 
joined  in  the  contest,  and  the  united  fire  proving  too  much  for 
the  rebels  their  batteries  were  silenced  and  withdrawn.  This 
closed  the  first  day's  skirmish  with  the  rebels. 

All  reports  say  the  Eighteenth  behaved  well,  and  did  honor 
to  themselves  and  their  native  state.  That  night  Gen.  Milroy 
gave  orders  to  have  all  baggage  and  stores  removed  from  the 
town  by  the  orderlies  and  teamsters;  one  of  them  said,  "I  never 
worked  so  hard  in  my  life,  but  we  had  everything  safely  trans 
ported  to  the  fortifications  by  day  light,  Sunday  morning,"  During 
the  night  the  telegraph  wires  were  cut,  and  communication  with 
the  Union  lines  was  interrupted.  On  the  whole,  the  prospect 
was  not  very  flattering,  yet  the  men  had  kept  up  good  spirits 
through  the  day.  The  wounded  from  the  front  inspired  confi 
dence  and  courage.  A  member  of  Company  A  says,  "I  saw  a 
number  of  the  wounded  that  day  when  they  were  brought  in,  and 
as  they  passed  us  they  raised  their  heads,  swung  their  caps  and 
cried,  "boys,  we  are  giving  it  to  them  bully."  Defeat  was  the 
last  thing  they  thought  of,  but  Gen.  Milroy  doubtlessly  com- 


108  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


prehended  the  situation  by  this  time  and  disposed  of  his  small  force 
to  the  best  advantage. 

Information  being  received  that  the  enemy  were  advancing 
from  Berryville — a  place  ten  miles  northeast  of  Winchester — the 
Eighteenth  was  withdrawn  from  the  Front  Royal  road  and 
thrown  into  the  rifle-pits,  commanding  the  approaches  from  Ber 
ryville.  Here  they  remained  a  part  of  Saturday  night,  without 
blankets  or  shelter,  and  the  men  were  anything  but  comfortable. 
To  add  to  their  discomforts  it  began  to  rain,  which  means  that  it 
poured,  and  all  were  drenched  through  and  through,  and  suffered 
not  a  little  from  the  cold.  It  was  a  dismal  and  depressing  night. 
To  add  to  the  fear  and  confusion  of  the  hour,  the  artillery  of 
heaven  shook  the  earth  and  by  far  out-dicl  the  crash  of  battle  on 
the  preceding  day — emblematic  of  the  thunder  of  battle  to 
come.  The  emotions  of  the  men  during  that  scene  can  better  be 
imagined  than  described.  There  was  but  little  sleep  if  any  that 
night,  as  the  boys  stood  upright,  the  water  streaming  down  their 
backs  to  their  feet,  and  filling  the  trenches  several  inches  deep, 
causing  much  discomfort  if  not  actual  suffering.  After  midnight 
Company  K  got  up  a  counter  illumination,  building  a  large  camp- 
fire  at  which  they  made  coffee,  and  attempted  to  warm  their 
chilled  bodies,  but  did  not  meet  with  remarkable  success.  Before 
day-break  the  welcome  order  came  to  move,  and  the  regiment 
fell  back  inside  the  Star  Fort  near  the  town.  Through  the 
darkness  over  old  timbers,  stone-walls  and  ruins,  the  regiment 
made  its  way,  being  followed  closely  by  the  rebels,  who  took 
possession  of  a  part  of  the  east-portion  of  the  town,  including  the 
old  camp  of  the  Eighteenth.  At  day-light  the  situation  was  any 
thing  but  encouraging  to  the  Union  army.  All  night  the  rebel 
commanders  had  been  bringing  up  their  forces,  drawing  in  their 
lines  and  pressing  us  back,  giving  the  boys  "another  taste  of 
Virginia  mud,"  which,  owing  to  the  pouring  rain  of  the  previous 
night,  was  quite  deep.  At  this  time  the  rebels  were  in  full  view, 
and  were  seen  "prowling  about  on  the  edge  of  the  town,"  ap- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  109 


parently  in  high  glee  over  the  success  they  had  achieved.  The 
rebel  citizens  of  Winchester  also  were  delighted  with  the  situ 
ation,  rejoicing  at  the  prospect  of  the  capture  of  the  entire  Yan 
kee  force  within  a  few  hours.  They  knew  the  rebel  force  was  five 
to  one,  and  thought  it  was  only  a  question  of  time  with  reference  to 
Gen.  Milroy's  surrender.  While  in  or  near  the  Star  Fort,  rations 
were  issued,  but  before  the  men  had  time  to  cook  them,  the 
order  was  given  to  advance  and  re-take  that  part  of  the  town  in 
the  hands  of  the  rebels. 

The  order  was  splendidly  executed.  While  a  portion  of  the 
regiment  proceeded  to  the  Southern  portion  of  the  town  for  the 
protection  of  some  quartermaster's  and  commissary  stores,  which 
were  in  process  of  removal,  being  deemed  insecure  on  account  of 
the  somewhat  defenceless  condition  of  that  part  of  the  city,  an 
other  portion  skirmished  with  the  enemy,  who  slowly  retired,  and 
in  thirty  minutes  there  was  not  a  rebel  to  be  seen  in  the  town. 
Very  soon  the  whole  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  defenses  on 
the  northeast,  commanding  the  Berryville  road,  in  which  direction 
the  lines  of  the  enemy  could  be  distinctly  seen.  Thus  far  the 
movements  of  the  regiment  were  prompt,  and  highly  satisfactory 
to  the  commanding  general.  As  the  regiment  advanced  that 
morning  and  the  rebels  fell  back,  it  is  said  Gen.  Milroy  highly 
complimented  it  to  one  of  his  staff,  saying,  "If  I  had  ten  regiments 
like  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  I  would  whip  the  rebels  out  of 
their  boots  before  sunset."  Up  to  noon  the  loss  of  the  regi 
ment  was  small,  although  there  had  been  some  sharp  skirmishing 
which  lasted  several  hours.  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols  being  sick,  the 
command  devolved  upon  Maj.  Henry  Peale.  At  this  time  the 
regiment  was  confronted — as  it  was  afterward  learned — by  at 
least  ten  thousand  men.  But  such  was  the  disposition  of  our 
force,  it  made  quite  a  formidable  appearance,  seeming  much 
larger  than  it  was  in  reality.  The  rebels  thought  at  one  time  we 
had  about  twelve  thousand  men  lying  back  of  us  and  in  the 
rifle-pits,  and  waited  for  this  force  to  advance  on  their  lines. 


1 10  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


There  was  a  large  brick  house,  within  rifle  distance,  immedi 
ately  in  front  Company  H,  which  had  been  taken  possession  of 
by  the  rebel  sharp-shooters,  who  greatly  annoyed  the  Eighteenth, 
by  delivering  their  fire  whenever  a  head  showed  itself  above  the 
rifle-pits.  The  order  was  given  to  Companies  F  and  H,  to  dis 
lodge  them.  A  twenty-four  pound  brass  howitzer  was  pro 
cured  from  the  fort  and  turned  upon  the  building.  The  gun  was 
served  by  Capt.  McDonald,  of  the  commissary  department.  After 
the  firing  of  several  shots,  some  of  which  penetrated  it,  and  at  a 
given  signal,  which  was  a  shell  from  a  thirty-two  pounder  from 
the  fort,  Capt.  Bowen  with  the  companies  under  his  command 
sprang  out  of  the  pits,  and  amid  the  crashing  of  shot  and  shell 
charged  upon  the  house.  'The  work  was  short  and  bloody.  Several 
of  the  enemy  were  killed  and  wounded  and  thirteen  prisoners 
were  captured. 

"Never  shall  I  forget"  says  Lieut.  Caruthers,  who  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  abdomen,  "the  desperate  charge,  fighting 
away  from  our  main  force,  with  great  odds  against  us.  Our 
work  being  accomplished,  the  next  thing  was  to  get  back;  being 
nearly  surrounded,  we  cut  our  way  through  into  the  ri tie-pits.  So 
gallantly  was  it  done  that  cheers  went  up  from  our  commander 
in  the  fort  who  saw  it  all."  Before  making  the  charge  the  boys 
said  to  each  other  "Let  us  each  do  our  part  well."  And  they 
did. 

The  official  reports  says,  "In  this  affair  private  Charles  Bald 
win,  Company  F,  while  attempting  to  capture  two  rebels,  was 
killed,  Second  Lieut.  William  Caruthers,  serving  with  Company  H, 
severely  wounded,  and  was  carried  to  the  rear,  and  taken  in 
an  ambulance  to  a  house  on  the  Martinsburg  Pike  where  his 
wound  was  dressed."  The  regiment  was  kept  in  the  rifle  pits  until 
about  four  P.  M.,  when  it  was  ordered  to  the  fortifications  again. 
Up  to  this  time  the  rebels  had  not  used  a  single  piece  of  artil 
lery,  and  many  were  wondering  what  could  be  the  reason;  now 
the  mystery  was  explained.  While  this  brisk  skirmishing  had 


CONNECTICUT  VOL  UN TEERS.  1 1 1 


been  kept  up  on  the  east  and  south  of  the  town,  the  enemy  had 
been  busy  in  other  directions.  He  had  prolonged  his  right  line 
to  a  point  north  of  the  Berryville  road,  while  his  left  extended 
across  the  Front  Royal,  Strasburg  and  Romney  roads,  to  a  point 
near  the  city.  This  latter  position  had  been  gained  by  cut» 
ting  a  road  through  the  dense  woods  a  considerable  distance,  by 
which  he  had  placed  several  batteries  directly  in  front  and  rear 
of  the  main  fort,  west  and  north. 

That  Gen.  Milroy  should  not  have  anticipated  these  flank 
movements  is  surprisingly  strange.  Although  brave  and  daring 
almost  to  a  fault,  his  superior  generalship  may  well  be  questioned, 
when  it  is  admitted  that  the  first  evidence  of  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  from  the  quarter  indicated  was  in  the  shape  of  a  solid 
shot  which  flew  over  the  fort  and  fell  in  the  town  beyond.  This 
showed  the  enemy  had  been  shrewd,  and  understood  the  position 
of  the  Federal  forces,  and  what  to  do  to  dislodge  them  with  the 
least  loss  of  life,  for  a  serious  loss  in  this  direction  at  this  time 
could  not  be  afforded,  and  yet  the  delay  proved  disastrous  to  the 
enemy  in  the  end. 

At  five  P.  M.  the  enemy  made  a  furious  attack  upon  the  ridge 
with  infantry,  to  the  right  of  the  main  fort,  and  captured  a  bat 
tery,  driving  the  support  back  in  confusion,  though  not  without 
desperate  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  latter.  The,  excitement 
by  this  time  became  intense,  but  the  Federal  batteries  replied  to 
the  enemy  with  great  coolness  and  effect.  Gen.  Milroy  elicited 
the  admiration  of  his  command  by  his  coolness  and  firmness, 
taking  an  exposed  position  near  or  a  little  distance  from  the  flag 
staff,  appearing  entirely  self-possessed  and  unmoved  while  shot 
and  shell  flew  thick  and  fast  around  him.  About  dusk  the  rebels 
charged  upon  the  main  fort  twice,  but  were  handsomely  repulsed. 
"Many  of  them,"  says  one  of  the  men  "were  laid  low  in  death, 
as  we  waited  until  they  came  very  near,  and  then  our  aim  was 
sure."  Thus  ended  the  second  day's  fight. 

Sunday  afternoon,  from   the  firing   of   the   first    gun   and   for 


1 1  *  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


three  hours  the  Eighteenth  was  exposed  to  a  storm  of  shot  and 
shell,  making  their  position  extremely  hot  and  uncomfortable. 
"It  was  the  most  terrible  thundering,"  says  an  eye  witness,  "I 
ever  heard."  At  this  time  the  city  was  three  fourths  invested, 
All  forces  were  withdrawn  from  the  outer  defenses  and  concen 
trated  within  the  earth-works  of  the  main  fortifications,  with  the 
exception  of  the  first  brigade,  which,  since  the  beginning  of  the 
action  had  been  stationed  with  a  battery  on  the  ridge,  directly  in 
the  line  of  the  enemy's  approach.  The  position  of  the  Eighteenth 
was  a  little  to  the  left  of  the  main  fort,  in  a  circular  form,  with 
a  battery  of  artillery  in  the  center,  on  the  top  of  a  round  hill,  and 
here  they  awaited  with  much  anxiety  the  terrible  canonacling, 
which  sent  the  missiles  of  death  flying  around  them  in  dangerous 
proximity.  It  had  been  such  a  Sabbath  as  most  of  the 
Eighteenth  had  never  witnessed  before,  The  day  had  been  full 
of  stirring  incidents.  One  incident  early  in  the  morning  created 
considerable  excitement  and  enthusiasm.  The  fifth  Maryland,  a 
plucky  little  regiment,  had  driven  the  rebels  out  of  a  portion  ot 
the  rifle-pits  to  the  east  of  the  town,  and  occupied  them  until  the 
advance  of  the  Eighteenth,  which  had  been  ordered  to  relieve 
them.  As  the  Eighteenth  entered  the  rifle-pits,  the  plucky  Mary 
land  boys  were  singing: 

"We'll  rally  round  the  flag  boys, 

We'll  rally  once  again, 

Shouting  the  battle  cry  of  Freedom." 

The  effect  was  stirring  and  inspiring.  It  was  not  the  first  time 
many  of  the  Eighteenth  had  heard  that  patriotic  song,  and  it 
created  much  enthusiasm  among  the  boys,  one  of  whom  says,  "I 
never  shall  forget  the  effect  of  that  glorious  national  song." 

There  is  no  doubt  but  the  rebels  suffered  terribly  in  their  last 
charges  upon  the  Union  works,  Sunday  night.  They  had 
anticipated  a  speedy  victory,  but  the  firmness  of  Gen.  Milroy  dis 
couraged  them,  and  they  abandoned  the  idea  of  completing 
the  capture  until  daylight.  All  reports  agree  that  the  Eighteenth 


Capt.    HEHRY  C.  DAYIS. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  115 


performed  good  service  throughout  the  whole  day.  Both  officers 
and  privates  were  cool  and  determined,  and  prompt  in  obedience  to 
orders.  Our  losses  were  not  large,  however,  fighting  most 
of  the  time  behind  breast  works.  Stephen  H.  Oatley,  and  George 
W.  Pickett  of  Company  G,  were  killed  near  the  close  of  the 
day.  The  thunders  of  battle  ceased  with  the  darkness,  Gen. 
Milroy  called  a  council  of  officers,  and  it  was  decided  to  evacuate 
the  works  as  soon  as  possible.  Silence  reigned  until  about 
twelve  o'clock,  when  the  order  was  given  to  be  ready  to  move  at 
a  moment's  warning.  The  night  was  intensely  dark  and  great  se 
crecy  was  enjoined;  not  a  loud  word  was  spoken.  The  horses  had 
been  quietly  cut  from  the  wagons,  and  mounted  by  teamsters, 
moved  off,  being  followed  by  the  cavalry  and  infantry.  By  two 
A.  M.,  the  rear  guard  had  left  Winchester,  and  the  whole  column 
moved  in  good  order  on  the  road  leading  to  Marti nsburg,  the 
Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers  forming  the  advance  of  the 
center  brigade.  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols,  though  still  sick,  was  in 
command.  So  quietly  was  this  movement  effected,  it  is  said,  the 
rebels  knew  nothing  of  it  until  daylight  the  next  morning. 


15 


1 1 4  EIGH  TEE  NTH  REGIMENT 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE    BATTLE    AND    CAPTURE. 


During  the  night  the  rebels  had  been  bringing  up  their  artillery, 
eighty-seven  pieces  in  all,  and  were  ready  to  open  on  the  fort  at 
early  dawn,  ''but  the  bird  had  flown."  This  movement  had  been 
anticipated  on  the  part  of  the  rebels  and  when  the  Union  force  had 
proceeded  about  four  miles,  at  daylight,  the  First  Brigade 
suddenly  encountered  the  right  of  the  rebels  posted  in  strong 
force,  in  a  piece  of  woods  skirting  the  right  of  the  road.  The 
rebels  with  great  rapidity  threw  forward  a  sufficient  force  to  en 
gage  the  whole  of  the  First  Brigade,  and  a  portion  of  the  Second. 
The  attack  of  the  enemy  was  prompt  and  furious,  and  though  our 
men  were  nearly  exhausted,  they  returned  the  fire  sharply  and 
defiantly,  but  owing  to  the  extreme  darkness,  the  firing  on  both 
sides  was  not  very  effective  at  first.  The  First  Brigade  charged 
the  enemy,  and  having  driven  back  the  force  immediately  in  their 
front,  passed  on  and  continued  their  retreat  to  Harper's  Ferry. 
At  this  juncture  the  remainder  of  the  First  Brigade  fell  back,  to 
gether  with  the  second,  into  a  field  to  the  left  of  the  road. 
The  line  of  the  latter  had  been  badly  broken  by  the  cavalry, 
which  had  retreated  in  great  hurry  and  confusion  from  this  sudden 
advance  of  the  rebels,  rushing  through  our  lines,  and  entangling 
themselves  with  the  infantry.  Order,  however,  was  restored  with 
the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers  and  the  remnant  of  the 

o 

first  Brigade.     Two  successive  charges  were  then  made  upon  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  115 


rebels  in  their  defences,  and  upon  a  battery  that  poured  shot  and 
shell  into  our  lines.  The  fire  of  the  enemy  was  too  high  else  the 
regiment  would  have  been  cut  to  pieces.  Says  an  eye  witness: 
"For  two  and  a  half  hours  the  musketry  firing  was  incessant 
and  our  boys  fought  bravely.  It  was  the  hardest  fighting  they  had 
experienced."  The  brigade  after  the  second  charge  was  some 
what  disorganized,  and  some  of  the  regiments,  believing  the  day 
was  lost,  scattered  so  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  bring  them 
into  line  again.  At  this  time  the  official  report  says,  "The 
Eighteenth  was  reformed  with  considerable  difficulty  and  charged 
the  third  time  alone,  but  was  immediately  repulsed  with  a  loss  of 
some  thirty  killed  and  wounded," 

The  railroad  leading  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  Winchester,  runs 
parallel  with  the  "Pike."     At  the  place  where  the  fight  occurred, 
the  railroad   runs   through    a  bank,    forming  a  cut  about  six  feet 
deep.     This   cut  formed  a    ready-made    entrenchment    for    the 
rebels.      A  small  country  road  crossed  the  railroad   at  a  right  an 
gle  with  the  turnpike.      The  rebels  formed   their  line   in  this  cut, 
their  heads  only  being  visible,   their  left  resting  on  a  bridge,  where 
they  had  planted  a  battery  which  swept  the  cross  road,  on  which 
the  right  of  the  Eighteenth  advanced,  with  no  artillery   to  cover 
them.     This  was    a  murderous    trap   which    was  not  seen  in  the 
gray  dawn  of  that  fatal  morning,  and  ii  was  first  discovered  by 
the  flash  of  rebel  rifles.      The  Union  forces  could  see  nothing  else 
as  they  charged  into   the  woods,  and  up    the    cross  road,   hence 
the  rebels  had  every  advantage,  and  were  not  slow  to  improve  it. 
Nevertheless   the     Eighteenth  charged    up    to   the  battery  and 
silenced  it,    by  killing  or   wounding   every  man    on  it,   but  posi 
tion  and  a  superior  force  prevailed.     The  enemy  had  plenty  of 
artillery  in  reserve,  and  a   long  line  of  fire  streamed    from   thou 
sands   of  rifles  to   check  the  advance  of  our  brave  men.     Again 
and  again  did  our  men  charge  with  great  odds  against  them.   Says 
a  correspondent,  "Those  who  think  the    Eighteenth  cannot  fight 
should  have  gone  into   those  dark  woods    with   us,  and  see  how 


n5  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


brave  men  can  stand  fire."  It  is  a  wonder  they  stood  so  well. 
To  charge  up  that  cross  road  in  face  of  a  battery  so  well  sup 
ported,  and  so  many  times  in  succession,  was  enough  to  dampen 
the  courage  of  the  bravest  men. 

The  last  charge  was  fatal  to  the  preservation  of  the  Eigh 
teenth,  but  it  saved  Gen.  Milroy  and  his  staff.  The  rebels  were 
exceedingly  bitter  against  Milroy,  and  very  sure  of  his  capture 
at  one  time,  and  when  they  found  he  had  made  his  escape,  were 
indignant  and  full  of  wrath.  As  the  Eighteenth  started  on  the 
third  charge,  the  General  knew  it  was  his  last  chance.  He 
improved  it  at  the  expense  of  the  officers  and  privates  of  a  noble 
regiment.  It  was  sad  to  see  the  broken  ranks,  the  dead  and 
wounded  and  the  scattered  condition  of  the  regiment  at  this  time. 
Col.  Ely,  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols  and  all  the  officers  of  that  brave 
band  of  men,  had  hoped  for  a  different  result  and  did  all  they 
could  to  avert  such  a  calamity.  It  has  been  said  that  the  officers 
were  full  of  fight,  that  morning,  and  were  determined  from  the 
first,  to  fight  their  way  through  the  enemies'  lines  at  all  hazards. 
Col.  Nichols  rode  after  a  Maryland  regiment  that  had  a  fine  op 
portunity  to  escape,  and  induced  it  to  return  to  the  fight.  The 
men  after  their  capture,  however,  were  very  indignant  at  the 
colonel  as  their  chances  for  escape  were  so  good  at  the  time. 

It  was  evident  to  the  most  sagacious,  after  the  second  charge, 
that  the  day  was  lost.  Milroy  saw  it,  others  saw  it  and  left  the 
Eighteenth  with  fragments  of  other  regiments  to  their  fate.  In 
the  second  charge,  Capt.  Warner  and  Lieut.  Merwin  received 
slight  wounds.  In  the  third,  Capt.  Porter  was  killed,  and  Capts. 
Bowen  and  Bates  were  severely  wounded.  The  men  then  scat 
tered  in  all  directions,  but  meeting  the  enemy  at  nearly  all  points 
were  forced  to  turn  back,  and  a  large  number  were  captured. 
Company  D  alone  escaped  intact.  Having  been  detailed  as 
provost  guard  of  Winchester,  it  left  that  place  with  the  third 
brigade  and  did  not  participate  in  the  action.  On  being  made  aware 
of  the  attack,  it  was  marched  to  the  rear  by  its  commanding  of- 


to 

•d 

a 
cd 

d 
q 

o 

.   O 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  117 


ficer,  and  made  its  way  across  the  country  to  Pennsylvania. 
After  the  escape  of  the  first  brigade,  as  before  mentioned,  the 
rebels  had  prolonged  their  line  to  the  right,  with  a  view  of  cut 
ting  off  the  remaining  force  from  Harper's  Ferry,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  third  charge,  it  was  seven-eighths  encircled.  Escape 
under  these  circumstances  was  exceedingly  difficult.  Col.  Ely 
then  raised  a  white  flag.  This  consisted  of  a  rubber  blanket,  the 
white  side  of  which  was  turned  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy, 
who  was  advancing,  or  making  preparations  to  do  so.  This  was 
not  discovered  at  first,  or  if  it  was,  the  rebels  kept  up  a  brisk  fire 
for  some  little  time,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  the  Union 
force. 

The  following  reasons  are  assigned  for  the  surrender:  "Gen. 
Johnson's  Division,  which  had  been  charged  that  morning,  was 
in  the  woods  preparing  to  charge,  and  at  the  same  instant  the 
Stonewall  Brigade  was  thrown  across  the  path  of  escape  on  the 
left  flank,  and  advancing  rapidly  so  that  capture  was  inevitable, 
and  nothing  but  immediate  surrender  could  prevent  great  slaugh 
ter  of  officers  and  men  who  had  fought  gallantly  and  obeyed 
their  orders  to  the  letter."  The  Eighteenth  and  other  regiments 
were  wearied  by  two  days'  watching  and  fighting,  and  badly  cut 
up  by  three  successive  charges  on  the  enemy,  were  twenty-five 
miles  from  supports  and  entirely  surrounded.  Under  these  cir 
cumstances  surrender  was  inevitable.  Immediately  afterwards, 
eighty-seven  pieces  of  artillery,  supported  by  Gen.  Early's  entire 
command,  marched  rapidly  over  the  battle-field,  and  all  day  long 
detachments  of  Gen.  Milroy's  command,  who  had  not  fought 
that  morning,  were  brought  in,  till  in  all,  the  captured  forces 
numbered  five  thousand  men.  Col.  Ely  said  during  the  engage 
ment  that  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut 
did  so  well  that  it  was  difficult  to  make  distinctions. 
Lieut.  D.  W.  Hakes  acted  as  aid  to  Col.  Ely,  and  distinguished 
himself  by  promptness  and  daring.  Capt.  Bowen,  with  two  com 
panies,  charged  upon  a  company  of  rebel  sharp-shooters,  securely 


1 1 8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


posted,  and  came  back  with  fifteen  prisoners,  and  all  the  officers 
were  gallant  and  serviceable  during  the  engagement.  From  all 
accounts,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  regiment,  as  a  whole,  did  its 
duty,  making  three  desperate  charges  upon  the  enemy,  and  only 
surrendering  when  the  day  was  completely  lost.  It  is  said  that 
the  rebels  cheered  loudly  over  their  victory,  but  Gen.  Walker 
checked  them  by  saying,  "they  had  been  fighting  that  morning 
only  about  one  regiment,  and  that  was  the  Eighteenth  Con. 
necticut."  He  also  said  to  Colonel.  Ely,  "You  have  made 
us  a  good  deal  of  trouble  this  morning,"  and  when  the 
colonel  gave  up  his  sword,  the  rebel  general,  observing  that  the 
hilt  and  blade  were  broken,  inquired:  "Colonel,  when  was  this 
done  ?"  "This  morning,  sir,  in  the  fight,"  was  the  reply.  Gen. 
Walker  said,  "You  deserve  to  keep  this, — here  are  the  marks 
of  bravery  and  honor.  I  will  give  orders  that  it  be  returned  to 
you,  sir."  The  sword  was  sent  to  Gen.  Early,  who  directed  that 
it  be  kept  in  the  prison  office  at  Libby.  Two  or  three  months 
thereafter,  it  was  sent  through  the  lines,  under  flag  of  truce,  to 
the  father  of  Col.  Ely,  while  the  latter  was  yet  a  prisoner.  A  cor 
respondent  of  the  New  York  Herald  at  that  time  says:  "Col.  Ely 
endeared  himself  to  his  command  by  the  tenacity  with  which  he 
stood  by  his  men,  and  shared  with  them  the  privations  of  captiv 
ity."  Gen.  Milroy,  in  an  address  to  the  Eighteenth  at  Martins- 
burg,  a  few  months  later,  said:  "Hoys,  you  stood  that  day  where 
only  brave  men  could  stand."  As  already  said,  Col.  Ely  gave  all 
his  officers  and  men  a  high  compliment  for  their  bravery  on  that 
fatal  i5th  day  of  June,  1863. 

Our  killed,  wounded  and  captured  amounted  to  five  hundred 
and  ninety-seven.  Col  Ely  and  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols,  being  dis 
mounted,  were  easily  captured.  Major  Peale  was  well  mounted, 
and  seeing  the  day  was  lost,  called  around  him  about  thirty  of  the 
scattered  men  and  made  his  escape  with  them  to  Harper's  Ferry 
by  a  circuitous  route,  his  horse  being  wounded  in  the  attempt. 
In  the  confusion  that  followed  the  sudden  attack  upon  the  Union 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  119 


forces,  and  after  the  surrender,  more  than  two  hundred  men  es 
caped  rebel  capture.  Had  the  captured  officers  and  men  of  the 
Eighteenth  known  what  awaited  them  in  rebel  prisons,  or  in  cap 
tivity,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  many  more  of  the  regiment 
would  have  been  of  the  number  who  took  refuge  in  the  moun 
tains  and  made  their  way  into  the  Union  lines. 

It  was  mortifying,  indeed,  to  be  compelled  to  surrender  to  the 
rebels,  who  were  dirty,  ragged,  and  insulting  in  their  taunts  and 
jeers.  They  asked  our  boys  how  they  liked  to  fight  under  Mil- 
roy.  How  they  liked  the  situation;  and  taunted  them  with  being 
Milroy's  thieves.  Inquired  if  we  had  not  better  staid  at  home, 
and  said  they  were  on  their  way  to  Philadelphia,  Baltimore  and 
Washington.  But  the  Eighteenth  answered  them  in  plucky 
style,  telling  them  that  they  would  "see  the  elephant"  before  they 
reached  the  places  they  had  named.  (And  they  did.) 

The  captured  were: — Field  and  Staff. — Col.  William  G.  Ely, 
Lieut.  Col.  Monroe  Nichols,  Surgeon  Lowell  Holbrook,  Quarter 
master  D wight  W.  Hakes. 

Non-Commissiond  Staff. — Hospital  Steward  J.  D.  Ripley,  Ser 
geant  Major,  Albert  S.  Granger,  Commissary  Sergeant,  Timothy 
Parker. 

These  and  twenty-one  commissioned  officers  of  the  line,  whose 
names  will  appear  elsewhere,  with  four  hundred  and  eighty-seven 
privates  were  marched  back  to  Winchester. 

After  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Milroy,  the  wildest  rumors  were 
spread  over  the  North,  as  to  the  extent  of  the  disaster.  As 
might  have  been  expected,  Eastern  Connecticut  was  excited,  and 
the  most  distressing  fears  prevailed  as  to  the  fate  of  the  Eigh 
teenth.  The  letters  of  those  who  escaped  into  the  Union  lines 
were  filled  with  the  most  exaggerated  statements,  as  to  the  ex 
tent  of  the  casualties,  deaths  and  captures,  One  writer  said: 
"When  I  left,  the  Eighteenth  were  fighting  like  bull-dogs,  and  I 
expect  they  are  all  cut  to  pieces.  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols  was  report 
ed  wounded,  Surgeon  Holbrook  was  seen  to  leap  from  his  saddle 


120  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


and  fall  to  the  ground,  and  was  supposed  to  be  dead;  Captains 
Bowen  and  Warner  were  reported  killed.  The  former  was 
wounded  in  both  legs,  and  as  they  were  carrying  him  from  the 
field  on  a  litter,  he  raised  his  head,  and  a  rifle-ball  struck  him  in 
the  head,  killing  him  instantly.  Lieut.  Caruthers  was  shot  in 
the  breast,  and  was  surely  dead."  Another  report  said,  "There 
are  nine  officers  killed  and  wounded  and  the  remainder  are  pris 
oners."  Another  wrote,  "I  fear  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  is 
annihilated."  Of  course,  these  reports  increased  the  general 
anxiety,  and  elicited  the  deepest  sympathy  from  all  in  the  com 
munity.  In  the  midst  of  this  distress  and  uncertainty,  the  editor 
of  the  Windham  County  Transcript  wrote  as  follows:  "We  have 
no  need  to  say  to  our  readers,  that  the  past  ten  days  have  been 
days  of  intense  and  painful  anxiety,  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of 
this  county;  and  the  heavy  burden  has  not  now  been  fully  lifted 
from  the  minds  and  hearts  of  our  people.  In  these  hours  of  sad 
ness  we  have  one  consolation,  the  Eighteenth  never  flinched. 
They  met  the  shock  of  battle  with  a  bravery  and  determination 
that  has  not  been  surpassed  in  the  present  war.  The  Eighteenth, 
with  their  gallant  Col.  Ely,  who  proved  himself  worthy  to  lead 
as  brave  men  as  ever  went  to  battle,  will  receive  the  homage  due 
to  the  heroic." 

"To  how  many  has  come  the  last  bugle  call  to  duty,  we  cannot 
now  ascertain.  Some  we  know  to  have  been  killed  and  wounded, 
and  for  the  friends  of  these,  the  hearts  of  all  beat  with  solemn 
sympathy.  But  such  always  is  the  fruit  of  war,  and  such  has 
been  from  the  beginning."  It  was  several  weeks  before  the  fate 
of  the  regiment  was  fully  ascertained.  The  news  grew  better 
every  day,  Not  so  many  as  some  feared  were  among  the  dead 
and  wounded,  though  Milroy's  command  was  nearly  destroyed, 
and  it  was  a  wonder  that  so  many  escaped. 

The  officers  and  men  marched  back  to  Winchester,  where  they 
arrived  about  noon  of  the  same  day.  The  town  was  filled  with 
rebel  soldiers  and  the  greatest  excitement  prevailed.  The 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  121 


women  were  out  in  full  force  to  rejoice  over  the  capture. 
Winchester  did  not  appear  like  the  same  place  as  when  it  was 
occupied  by  the  Union  forces.  The  prophecy  of  the  rebel  women 
had  been  fulfilled,  and  great  was  their  joy.  It  was  amusing  to 
observe  with  what  contempt  they  looked  upon  the  hated  Yan 
kees.  One  would  have  supposed  they  regarded  the  war  as  nearly 
ended,  and  they  thought  Lee  was  sure  to  go  to  Baltimore  and 
Washington,  and  make  short  work  of  the  war. 

The  captured  remained  in  the  town  but  a  short  time,  and  then 
were  marched  back  to  the  Star  Fort  they  left  so  secretly  in  the 
morning.  The  rebels  called  this  "Fort  Jackson,"  in  honor,  no 
doubt,  of  "Stonewall  Jackson."  Here  the  men  were  closely 
watched,  and  every  precaution  taken  to  prevent  their  escape. 
Their  condition  was  miserable  indeed,  being  crowded  into  the 
fort  with  about  three  thousand  other  prisoners,  without  shelter 
from  the  rays  of  a  burning  sun  by  day,  and  mostly  without 
blankets  during  the  cold  dews  of  night.  In  the  daytime  it  was 
hot  and  dusty,  with  wind  enough  to  blow  the  sand  from  the  par 
apet,  completely  covering  the  men  from  head  to  foot.  No  rations 
were  issued  until  the  second  day  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  these 
consisted  only  of  seven  hard-tack  and  a  small  piece  of  salt  junk 
to  each  man,  for  twenty-four  hours.  These  rations  were  grate 
fully  received,  as  most  of  the  men  had  had  nothing  to  eat  since 
early  the  previous  morning.  The  men,  however,  took  other 
measures  to  supply  their  wants.  The  rebels  guarding  the  very 
stores  which  had  been  intended  for  us,  and  which  we  were 
obliged  to  abandon  in  our  retreat,  a  plan  was  devised  to  re 
capture  a  portion  of  them.  It  was  this:  one  would  engage  the 
rebel  pickets  in  conversation,  while  another  would  seize  a  barrel 
of  pork,  tip  it  over,  and  roll  it  into  the  crowd.  The  head  would 
be  smashed  in,  and  the  pork  distributed  in  less  time  than  it  takes 
to  relate  the  transaction.  The  boys  cut  up  a  great  many  pranks 
with  the  rebels,  while  in  the  fort.  They  even  took  the  linch 
pins  from  the  wheels  of  the  gun-carriages  and  caissons,  which 

16 


1 2 2  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


annoyed  the  rebels  very  much.  They  offered  fifty  dollars  to  any 
one  who  would  tell  who  did  it,  but  of  course  no  one  knew.  The 
Yankees  were  captured  but  not  conquered,  or  subdued,  and  if  the 
rebels  taunted  them,  they  were  ready  to  talk  back  with  vigor. 

The  rebels  were  thus  greatly  annoyed  by  their  unsubdued 
prisoners,  and  it  was  quite  evident  it  would  not  do  to  keep 
such  men  long  at  Winchester.  They  were  too  near  the  Union 
lines,  hence  preparations  were  made  to  send  the  "saucy  and 
troublesome  Yanks"  farther  down  into  Dixie.  About  noon,  on 
Tuesday,  the  i6th  of  June,  the  officers  were  sent  back  to  the  city 
and  the  privates  remained  in  the  fort  and  drew  one  day's  rations, 
as  before  stated.  On  the  i  7th,  the  boys  found  their  condition 
worse  than  ever.  The  dust  was  so  thick  on  their  faces  that 
they  could  hardly  tell  one  from  another.  At  length  the  order 
came  to  march  which  was  a  great  relief,  for  any  change  seemed 
better  than  to  remain  in  the  fort.  No  order  was  ever  obeyed 
more  willingly,  although  the  boys  knew  not  whither  they  were 
going,  with  certainty,  nor  what  awaited  them.  It  was  late  in  the 
afternoon  when  they  marched  out  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Board.  As  they  passed  through  Winchester  again  it  was  ascer 
tained  that  their  officers  were  a  little  way  in  advance,  and  were 
not  permitted  to  have  the  slightest  intercourse  with  their  men. 
The  first  night  they  marched  about  ten  miles,  and  camped  in  a 
beautiful  place  not  far  above  Newtown,  the  march  being  up  in 
stead  of  down  the  valley.  The  women  in  Newtown  offered  every 
insult  to  the  hated  Yankees  whenever  opportunity  offered.  The 
place  where  they  camped  that  night  furnished  good  water,  which 
was  highly  appreciated,  and  besides  there  was  a  clean  place  to 
sleep.  In  the  opinion  of  one  man:  "This  seems  like  Heaven 
compared  with  our  quarters  in  Fort  Jackson."  They  slept  sweet 
ly  that  night.  Early  the  next  morning  they  resumed  their  march 
passing  through  Middletown,  and  about  a  half  mile  further  on 
halted  for  breakfast.  Rations  consisted  of  a  pint  of  Hour  and  a 
little  piece  of  bacon.  The  Hour  was  mixed  with  water,  and  baked 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  123 


in  thin  cakes  over  the  fire,  or  in  the  ashes.  These  cakes  were 
called  "Jeff  Davis'  custards,"  and  "tough  yarns."  Here  the  men 
caught  sight  of  their  officers  and  gave  them  three  hearty  cheers 
which  were  returned  with  a  will;  but  there  was  no  time  to  talk 
with  them,  as  they  were  hurried  off  at  once.  Here  also  many  of 
the  men  had  a  chance  to  wash  although  they  could  not  change 
their  linen. 

About  noon  the  march  was  resumed,  and  in  the  middle  of  the 
afternoon  the  prisoners  passed  through  Strasburg.  The  secesh 
hatred  was  more  viciously  displayed  here  than  in  any  previous 
place.  The  men,  however,  were  getting  accustomed  to  their 
treatment  and  did  not  mind  it  much,  responding  with  some 
Union  songs,  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  or  dealing  out  a  little 
Yankee  wit  for  variety.  About  this  time  a  heavy  shower  of  rain 
and  hail  came,  the  hailstones  being  as  large  as  birds'  eggs. 
No  shelter  was  to  be  had,  and  so  the  men  trudged  on  through 
the  mud  and  water  for  four  or  five  miles,  passing  over  Fisher's 
Hill,  and  stopping  near  where  a  bridge  had  been  burned.  The 
rain  continued  without  cessation.  However  the  men  gathered  a 
pile  of  rails,  and  after  a  while  had  a  camp  fire  well  burning, 
around  which  they  assembled  and  made  themselves  comparative 
ly  comfortable.  Many  were  kept  up  all  night,  being  so  thoroughly 
wet  that  they  were  afraid  of  taking  cold  if  they  should  lie  down. 

"Ten  months  ago  to-day,"  said  one  of  the  prisoners,  "we  were 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States.  Quite  a  contrast 
between  our  condition  then  and  now.  Then  we  were  taking  up 
arms;  now  we  are  marching  as  prisoners  of  war,  without  arms,  to 
Richmond.  Such  is  the  fate  of  soldiers." 

Col.  Board,  it  is  said,  was  considerate  and  kind,  more  so  than 
was  at  first  anticipated.  He  used  no  harsh  or  unkind  language, 
and  seemed  disposed  to  do  what  he  could  for  the  comfort  of  his 
prisoners.  During  the  night  referred  to,  he  halted  his  command 
on  a  side  hill,  informing  the  prisoners  that  he  could  do  no  better 
for  them.  The  rain  continued  to  pour,  the  water  did  not  stand 


I24  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


in  pools,  on  account  of  the  sloping  nature  of  the  position.  Some  of 
the  officers  found  lodgings  in  a  barn,  which  was  already  occupied 
by  whole  divisions  of  fleas.  These  little  rebels  proved  very 
troublesome  through  the  night,  and  left  the  evidence  of  their 
fighting  qualities  upon  their  victims  in  the  shape  of  great  blotches 
on  the  men,  who  had  to  strip  themselves  nearly  naked  to  get  rid 
of  them.  The  men  who  took  refuge  under  the  arches  of  the  burn 
ed  bridge,  or  stood,  or  sat  up,  fared  as  well,  if  not  a  little  better 
than  the  others.  One  man  sat  down  on  a  stump,  drew  his  blanket 
over  his  head  and  spent  the  night  in  painful  reverie.  The  situa 
tion  was  decidedly  unfavorable  to  flow  of  spirits,  but  all  seemed 
inclined  to  make  the  best  of  it.  If  the  Jordans  sang  that  night, 
"Hist  up  the  flag,"  there  is  no  record  of  it.  The  rebel  guard  was 
also  thoroughly  wearied  and  sleepy.  So  much  so  that  it  was 
thought" that  an  escape  might  have  been  easily  effected,  to  the 
mountains  on  either  side— -the  Blue  Ridge  and  the  Alleghanies. 
One  of  the  officers  said  afterwards:  "How  often  in  my  prison 
hours  1  looked  back  to  that  time  and  wished  I  had  made  my  es 
cape  on  that  eventful  night."  Early  Friday  morning  we  were 
again  on  the  move,  marching  through  tall  grass,  the  men  got 
their  feet  thoroughly  wet  by  the  time  they  reached  the  pike,  and 
they  went  on  slipping  about  in  their  shoes.  Passed  through 
Woodstock,  twenty-eight  miles  from  Winchester,  about  eight  A. 
M.  A  very  hot  day,  halted  for  rest,  and  cooked  a  custard  or  two 
for  lunch. 

Woodstock  is  quite  a  pleasant  place.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the 
presence  of  so  many  prisoners  attracted  universal  attention  and 
surprise. 

Early  in  the  afternoon,  reached  Edenburgh,  a  low,  dingy  look 
ing  place  and  thoroughly  rebellious.  At  one  house  a  queer  look 
ing  old  lady  came  out,  leaned  over  the  door  yard  fence,  and  look 
ing  over  her  glass  in  wild  astonishment,  cried  out,  "Lizzie,  do 
look  here,  we  have  got  all  of  Lincoln's  men.  I  don't  believe  he  has 
got  a  dozen  left."  The  boys,  tired  and  foot-sore  as  they  were, 


Capt.    THOMAS  K.  BATES. 


CONNECTICUT  VOL UNTEERS.  125 


could  not  refrain  from  hearty  laughter  at  the  old  lady's  ignorance. 
"On  to  Richmond,"  however,  soon  began  to  be  rather  serious  busi 
ness.  Poor,  scanty  rations  and  continuous  marching,  was  telling 
on  the  constitutions  of  the  men,  and  taxing  their  powers  to 
the  utmost. 

Bat  the  prevailing  belief,  among  officers  and  men,  was  that  in 
twenty  days  they  would  be  back  again  in  the  Uuion  lines,  helped 
to  keep  up  courage  and  endurance. 

Those  who  at  first  fancied  it  might  be  a  pleasant  jaunt  to  go  up 
the  valley,  see  the  beautiful  country,  take  a  view  also  of  the  rebel 
capitol  and  perhaps  see  Jeff.  Davis  himself,  were  now  quite  wil 
ling  to  abandon  the  enterprise  to  other  parties,  who  might  have 
any  special  craving  for  it.  Thirty-nine  miles  from  Winchester, 
we  passed  through  a  dilapidated  looking  place  called  Morgan- 
town,  and  a  little  further  on  halted  in  the  woods,  and  some  of 
the  boys  were  soon  asleep. 

Their  slumbers  were  soon  disturbed,  and  shortly  after  resum 
ing  the  march,  it  began  to  rain  very  hard,  the  storm  being  at 
tended  with  a  driving  wind,  drenching  the  men  completely  to  the 
skin,  which  was  anything  but  comfortable.  Four  miles  further 
we  came  to  Mount  Jackson,  where  the  night  was  spent,  the  men 
occupying  comfortable  barracks,  which  had  been  erected  either 
by  Gen.  Banks  or  Gen.  Fremont,  in  their  occupancy  of  the  valley 
a  year  before.  The  officers  were  assigned  to  these  barracks  and 
the  men  had  an  opportunity  to  see  them  once  more.  The  bar 
racks,  however,  soon  became  very  wet  and  muddy,  owing  to  the 
terrible  rain,  but  the  men,  after  cooking  rations,  more  at  their  leis 
ure  than  usual,  enjoyed  a  good  night's  rest,  some  of  them 
stretching  their  weary  limbs  upon  a  hospital  bedstead. 

The  trip  of  the  Eighteenth  to  Richmond  was  full  of  interesting 
incidents.  The  boys  were  ever  ready,  in  true  Yankee  style,  "to 
give  their  enemies  as  good  as  was  sent"  in  the  way  of  jokes  and 
repartee.  One  incident  ought  not  to  be  overlooked,  as  showing 
that  the  Yankees  were  not  to  be  outdone  in  the  line  of  sarcasm 


1 26  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


and  misrepresentation,  and  thereby  affording  fun  for  every  one  in 
the  most  trying  situation.  "Tom."  Jordan,  Company  H,  was 
always  ready  for  an  emergency.  On  one  occasion  he  took  the 
liberty  to  approach  a  rebel  officer,  and  began  to  discuss  the  pro 
bable  issues  of  the  war.  Among  other  things  "Tom."  inquired: 
"What  do  you  expect  to  do  with  all  us  fellows  ?  The  South  will 
not  be  able  to  raise  enough  to  feed  us."  The  officer  replied 
that  the  "South  could  furnish  enough  to  keep  the  whole  Federal 
army  for  five  years,"  and  then  added,  "The  North  will  have  to 
submit.  Just  see  how  short  they  are  of  all  the  necessities  of  life. 
In  the  city  of  New  York  last  week,  according  to  a  reliable  state 
ment,  there  was  not  to  be  found  more  than  eight  hundred  barrels 
of  flour.  Beef  and  pork  were;  thirty  cents  per  pound,  and  there 
is  a  fine  prospect  of  the  North  soon  coming  to  want." 

"Why  man,"  said  Tom.,  "if  the  North  have  as  much  as  you  say, 
they  will  get  along  well  enough  up  there;"  and  then,  to  make  the 
rebel  statement  appear  as  ridiculous  as  possible,  he  went  on:  "All 
the  North  have  has  been  loaned  them  by  the  Canadians.  There 
has  been  nothing  at  all  raised  in  the  North  since  the.  first  gun  was 
fired  on  Sumpter,  and  all  through  New  England  the  people  are 
pretty  much  exhausted  for  want  of  something  to  eat.  The  city  of 
New  York  has  only  two  barrels  of  flour,  and  beef  is  worth  ten 
dollars  per  pound."  This  was  a  little  too  broad  even  for  rebel 
credulity,  and  the  officer,  raising  himself  up,  and  looking  over 
the  crowd  yelled:  "I  say  you  red  whiskered  fellow,  over 
there,  you  are  an  infernal  liar.  I  have  been  North  myself."  It 
is  needless  to  say  that  this  reply  was  greeted  with  shouts  of 
laughter.  While  waiting  for  the  cars  at  Staunton,  the  men, 
though  completely  tired  out,  were  still  ready  to  joke  the  rebel 
crowd  as  usual,  and  gave  them  to  understand,  that  when  the 
prisoners  came  that  way  again  the  table  would  be  turned  and  the 
Yankees  would  have  things  all  their  own  way. 

The  first  train  moved  out  of  Staunton  about  two  P.  M.,  and  a 
second  soon  followed.  About  fifty  men  were  crowded  into  one 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  127 


box,  or  cattle  car,  with  the  intent,  it  would  seem,  to  make  them 
as  uncomfortable  as  possible.  Then  an  engine,  which  had  evi 
dently  seen  its  best  days,  was  attached  to  the  first  train,  and  pro 
ceeded  very  slowly  over  an  up  grade,  hitching  and  jerking  along, 
and  occasionally  coining  to  a  dead  halt,  which  caused  a  concus 
sion  between  the  cars.  Had  there  been  any  space  between  the 
unfortunates,  the  bunting  process  would  have  been  not  only  dis 
agreeable,  but  decidedly  dangerous. 

"I  cannot  say,"  writes  a  comrade,  (<that  our  first  impression  of 
railroad  travel  in  the  Southern  Confederacy  was  very  favorable;" 
and  another  comments:  "It  was  about  the  roughest  riding  I  ever 
saw.  We  had  to  sit  on  the  bottom  of  the  cars,  and  do  the  best 
we  could.  Added  to  all,  we  had  no  rations  and  suffered  much 
from  hunger." 

o 

The  grade  was  steep,  the  track  passing  through  a  mountainous 
country.  The  first  stopping  place  was  called  Fisherville,  about 
one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  from  Richmond;  the  next  was  Way- 
nesboro.  Then  came  a  succession  of  tunnels  of  pitch  darkness, 
and  of  unusual  length,  one  being  over  a  mile  long.  The  night 
that  followed  was  a  long  and  weary  one  to  those  whose  condition 
was  so  painful  that  they  could  find  little  or  no  sleep  or  rest.  Hap 
py  for  those  who  could  say,  "I  had  no  realizing  sense  of  what 
passed  during  that  long  ride  through  the  mountains."  At  day 
break  the  next  morning,  stopped  at  Hanover  Junction,  twenty- 
seven  miles  from  Richmond.  Here  a  portion  of  the  second  train 
changed  cars,  taking  a  first  class  platform  conveyance,  which  af 
forded  a  fine  opportunity  to  see  the  country.  Some  of  those  who 
were  fortunate  enough  to  have  money,  bought  something 
to  eat,  paying  one  dollar  for  sixteen  cakes,  one  inch  square,  a 
price  that  was  said  to  be  very  cheap.  Passing  on  we  began  to 
encounter  objects  of  interest  which  attracted  general  attention. 
The  position  that  General  McClellan  occupied,  when  he  was  so 
near  the  rebel  capital,  was  pointed  out.  His  headquarters,  and 
the  rifle-pits  occupied  by  his  troops,  were  shown  to  the  inquisitive 


128  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Yankees,  by  a  brakeman,  as  also  a  place  where  many  of  the  fed 
eral  and  rebel  dead  were  buried.  "A  feeling  of  awe  came  over 
us,"  says  one  of  the  boys,  "as  we  realized  that  we  were  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  places  where  so  many  terrible  battles  were  fought." 
It  was  about  sunrise  when  the  first  train  halted  in  the  suburbs 
of  the  Capital  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  At  the  words  "fall 
in."  the  men  were  in  line,  the  officers  heading  the  column,  and 
the  march  for  Libby  began,  the  spectacle  attracting  general 
attention,  as  the  long  line  of  rough  and  wearied  Yankees  passed 
through  the  streets.  The  rebel  citizens  were  very  jubilant  over 
the  capture  of  so  many  officers,  there  being  about  one  hundred 
and  thirty  in  the  squad,  to  which  the  officers  of  the  Eighteenth 
were  attached.  On  the  way,  a  little  girl  came  along  with  bread 
for  sale,  twenty-five  cents  per  loaf,  and  those  who  could  command 
that  sum  readily  parted  with  it  for  the  staff  of  life,  as  they  were 
almost  famished,  having  had  no  rations  since  the  Sunday  preced 
ing,  three  days  of  rebel  barbarity.  Continuing  the  march  the 
line  soon  reached  a  large  brick  building,  bearing  the  sign  "Libby 
&  Sons,"  upon  one  corner.  While  we  were  being  marched  into 
this  famous  rebel  prison,  (once  a  tobacco  manufactory),  some 
boys,  seated  on  the  fence  opposite,  were  singing: 

"Jeff  Davis  is  a  wise  man, 
Lincoln  is  a  fool; 
Davis  rides  a  white  horse 
While  Lincoln  rides  a  mule." 

Then  followed  derisive  laughter,  and  various  other  insults, 
to  which  the  men  were  not  long  in  learning,  they  must  submit  in 
silence.  Late  in  the  afternoon  another  squad  of  the  Eighteenth 
arrived,  and  the  remainder  came  in  the  next  morning.  After 
being  fairly  within  the  prison  walls  all  the  men  were  subjected  to 
a  rigid  examination,  the  officers  having  been  previously  put  into 
a  different  department.  Then  rebel  examiners,  armed  with  re 
volvers  and  bowie  knives,  began  their  search  of  the  men.  They 
first  took  away  the  rubber  blankets  and  canteens,  and  writing 
materials.  Then  each  man  was  compelled  to  empty  his  pockets. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  129 


Many  of  the  officers  and  men  lost  what  little  money  they  had. 
Every  means  were  used  by  the  prisoners,  however,  to  prevent  the 
rebels  from  getting  hold  of  their  money.  One  officer  saved  sev 
enteen  dollars  by  ripping  open  a  corner  of  his  under  shirt,  and 
concealing  his  greenbacks  from  rebel  scrutiny.  Of  course,  these 
examiners  were  very  anxious  to  get  hold  of  all  the  greenbacks 
they  could,  and  they  spared  nothing  which  was  considered  of  any 
value  to  their  prisoners. 

After  all  the  officers  had  been  searched,  they  were  put  into  an 
other  room,  with  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  others,  consisting 
mostly  of  Col.  Straight's  raiding  party,  taken  at  Rome,  Georgia, 
about  a  month  previous.  Many  amusing  incidents  occurred 
during  the  examination.  After  the  men  had  given  up  what  they 
felt  obliged  to  part  with,  the  rebels  passed  their  hands  over  the 
prisoners'  clothing  from  head  to  foot,  taking  such  articles  as  they 
pleased.  When  they  came  to  George  H.  Ray,  of  Company  A,  he 
passed  out  his  bible.  1  he  rebel  looked  blank  enough  for  a  mo 
ment  but  recovering,  said,  "This  is  a  good  book"  and  handed  it 
back.  Ray  then  gave  him  the  Christian  Examiner.  This  was 
scrutinized  closely,  and  then  passed  back  with  the  remark,  "I 
guess  this  is  a  good  paper."  It  was  provoking  to  the  men  to 
have  articles  taken  from  them,  which  were  of  no  real  value  to  any 
one  but  themselves,  such  as  photographs  of  loved  ones  at  home 
and  other  mementoes  of  friendship.  But  the  rebel  tormentors 
vied  with  each  other  in  their  graceless  treatment  of  the  prisoners. 
The  examination  being  over,  the  men  were  ordered  to  a  depart 
ment  on  the  third  floor,  and  were  threatened  with  death  if  they 
presumed  to  look  out  of  the  window,  or  made  the  least  demons 
tration  towards  the  outer  world. 

There  were  about  seven  hundred  men  in  this  department  of 
the  prison,  and  all  the  light  and  air  received  were  through  three 
small  windows  at  each  end  of  the  room,  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
the  stench,  arising  from  such  close  confinement,  was  almost  intol 
erable.  But  few  of  the  men  dared  to  go  near  the  windows  for 


i-30  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


fear  of  being  shot,  as  the  rebel  guard  seemed  anxious  to  get  a 
shot  at  the  hated  Yankees. 

The  rations  consisted  of  bread,  fresh  meat  and  pea,  or  bean 
soup — a  pailful  for  twenty  men.  The  first  supper  in  Libby 
consisted  of  four  ounces  of  bread,  and  a  pint  of  very  thin  soup. 
The  night  following  will  never  be  forgotten.  With  the  hard  side 
of  an  oak  plank  for  a  bed,  and  the  oppressive  atmosphere  of  the 
room,  it  required  great  fortitude  and  patience  to  bear  up.  Wed 
nesday  morning,  June  25th,  was  a  memorable  time  for  the  cap 
tured  of  the  Eighteenth,  as  another  squad  came  from  Staunton  and 
passed  through  the  same  ordeal,  so  trying  to  those  who  had  meet 
a  similar  experience  the  day  before.  It  was  hard  for  the  men  to 
remain  submissive,  while  they  were  being  stripped  of  every  article 
of  value  they  possessed. 

A  sergeant  belonging  to  a  Kentucky  regiment,  brought  in  with 
our  boys  that  morning  made  the  remark,  as  they  took  his  haver 
sack,  that  he  thought  it  rather  hard  they  should  take  so  many 
things  from  the  boys,  when  one  of  the  guard  replied:  "What 
business  have  you  to  say  anything  about  it.  I  will  learn  you  to 
mind  your  own  business."  He  then  drew  a  stout  cord  from  his 
pocket,  placed  the  sergeant's  ~-ms  behind  him,  (irmly  tied  his 
thumbs  together,  then  putting  e  cord  over  a  beam  drew  him  up 
until  his  toes  just  touched  tl;  and  kept  him  suspended  in 

the  air  fifteen  minutes,  the  poor  fellow  suffering  the  greatest 
agony  and  nearly  fainting  away.  A  few  clays  afterward  another 
offender  was  punished  in  the  same  manner  for  forty-five  min 
utes. 

One  of  the  Eighteenth  was  standing  near  the  window  as  a  rebel 
officer  was  passing  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  when  the 
latter  calling  to  the  guard,  said,  "Shoot  the  d — n  Yankee  in  that 
window.  Report  says  that  it  was  very  common  to  shoot  Yankee 
prisoners  under  similar  cjru instances. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  131 


CHAPTER  V. 


ON    BELLE    ISLAND. 


About  noon  to-day  six  hundred  prisoners  including  a  large 
portion  of  the  Eighteenth  were  marched  out  of  Libby  and  on  to 
Belle  Island.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  remainder 
of  the  regiment  excepting  the  officers  followed. 

The  Richmond  papers  call  Belle  Island  the  Southern  paradise. 
The  island  is  situated  in  the  J<;  Kivtr,  about  half  a  mile  from 
Libby,  and  is  connected  with  the  main  land  by  a  long  bridge.; 
This  bridge  was  very  heavily  guu.  Jed.  The  camp  for  the  prisoners 
occupied  about  two  acres  of  ground,  surrounded  by  a  ditch  from 
six  to  seven  feet  wide  and  four  deep,  outside  o[  this  was  a  strong 
rebel  guard.  Into  this  enclosure  were  crowded  about  four  thou 
sand  men.  The  tents  were  very  few  and  poor  at  that,  and  many  of 
the  men  slept  on  the  ground  without  shelter  or  blankets. 

The  water  was  better  than  in  the  prison,  but  the  rations  were 
not  so  good,  nor  so  plenty.  It  did  seem  as  though  the  men  would 
perish  from  hunger  alone,  to  say  nothing  of  the  continued  ex 
posure  to  the  weather,  it  being  so  cool  at  night,  and  so  hot 
through  the  day. 

The  men  were  divided  into  squads  of  one  hundred  each  under 
the  care  and  inspection  of  a  sergeant  who  drew  and  distributed,  the 
rations  for  them,  each  man  receiving  the  same  amount  per  day, 
as  when  in  Libby.  The  bread,  says  one  of  the  boys,  was  very 
good,  but  there  was  not  enough  of  the  meat  to  ascertain  whether 


r 32  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

it  was  good  or  not,  and  as  for  the  soup,  had  we  been  at  home 
we  should  have  thought  it  hardly  tit  for  the  hogs,  it  was  so  filthy. 
None  of  us  ever  knew  what  it  was  to  he  hungry  before  we  landed 
on  that  island.  While  awake  our  minds  would  be  continually 
occupied  in  thinking  about  something  to  satisfy  the  demands  of 
hunger,  and  when  asleep,  we  would  dream  of  bounteous  repasts 
spread  before  us,  but  always  just  out  of  our  reach.  It  was  a 
terrible  feeling  and  would  have  destroyed  the  reason  of  the  men 
in  a  short  time.  We  would  pick  up  old  bones  that  had  been 
lying  around  camp  and  boil  them  to  get  what  nourishment  we 
could  in  that  way.  We  were  all  so  weak  from  hunger,  that  we  could 
hardly  exercise  at  all.  Those  men  who  had  money  could  buy 
bread  once  in  a  while,  but  those  of  us  who  had  no  money  were 
obliged  to  content  ourselves  in  hoping  for  better  clays  to 


come." 


About  this  time  rumor  was  busy  in  circulating  reports  of  a 
speedy  release  from  captivity,  on  a  parole  of  honor.  One  day 
the  boys  were  full  of  hope  and  the  next,  their  jubiliant  feelings 
were  depressed,  hope  deferred  makes  the  heart  sick.  In  the  mean 
time,  every  means  within  our  power  were  employed  to  make 
our  sad  condition  endurable.  The  water  for  washing  or  drink 
ing  purposes  was  extremely  bad,  and  relief  was  sought  by  digging- 
small  holes  in  the  camp,  about  four  feet  deep.  The  water  thus 
obtained,  was  thought  to  be  a  little  better  than  that  procured  from 
the  river,  but  it  was  far  from  being  fit  to  use,  and  was  the  cause 
of  more  sickness  among  the  men  than  all  other  causes  combined. 

There  was  such  a  large  number  of  prisoners  on  the  Island,  the 
rebels  were  constantly  under  the  apprehension  that  an  effort 
would  be  made  to  escape  by  overpowering  the  guard.  To  pre 
vent  this  there  were  three  or  four  pieces  of  artillery  brought  to 
bear  on  the  Island  and  a  small  force  of  infantry  were  posted  a 
short  distance  away,  to  be  ready  for  any  emergency.  The  guard 
had  strict  orders  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  and  shoot  the  first  man 
immediately  who  was  found  beyond  a  certain  line.  Conversation 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  133 


was  prohibited  with  the  prisoners,  but  this  order  was  not  strictly 
obeyed  as  some  of  the  guard  were  very  anxious  to  strike  a  bar 
gain  with  the  ''Yanks"  on  every  convenient  occasion.  It  was 
perfectly  amusing  to  see  how  anxious  the  rebels  were  to  get  hold 
of  the  United  States  currency.  Greenbacks  were  in  great  de 
mand  both  with  soldiers  and  citizens.  Those  of  the  prisoners 
who  were  so  fortunate  ar,  to  have  any  of  this  currency  could  buy 
four  times  as  much  in  quantity  of  any  article  as  with  the  same 
amount  of  Confederate  currency.  The  boys  who  sold  bread  to 
the  soldiers,  would  cry  out,  one  loaf  of  bread  for -a  Confederate 
dollar  and  four  loaves  for  one  dollar  "greenback."  What  was  this 
but  owning  the  Confederate  cause  was  already  lost.  This  was 
virtually  the  case  when  the  following  reply  was  given  to  the  ques 
tion:  "Why  do  you  sell  more  bread  for  one  dollar  in  greenback 
than  for  a  Confederate  dollar  ?"  "Oh,  that  is  easily  answered, 
your  money  will  be  worth  more  than  ours  bye  and  bye." 

Quite  a  brisk  trade  was  carried  on  with  the  rebels  in  tobacco. 
The  weed  was  not  bread  nor  as  necessary,  yet  there  were  many 
who  wuuld  have  it,  as  a  good  "quid"  now  and  then  seemed  a  comfort 
to  them  in  their  misery.  "Tom"  seemed  to  have  a  great  faculty  to 
trade  with  the  rebels  in  anything,  and  in  this  article  it  is  said,  he 
did  quite  a  successful  business,  buying  of  the  "rebs"  and  selling 
to  his  fellow  prisoners  at  a  small  profit.  One  man  in  Company 
H  thought  he  could  compete  with  "Tom"  in  the  trade, 
"Tom"  was  to  furnish  the  article  for  his  competitor.  He 
did  so  and  after  two  days'  trial,  having  sold  only  twenty  cents 
worth,  he  returns  his  unsold  stock  to  "Tom"  with  the  emphatic 
exclamation,  "There  "Tom"  take  this  infernal  stuff,  I  could  sell 
anything  else  better  than  tobacco."  It  is  true  "Tom"  was  a  great 
trader  but  the  men  wanted  bread.  More  bread  was  the  daily  cry 
at  Belle  Island  at  that  time. 

Sunday,  June  28th,  i  1.30  o'clock,  the  usually  small  pittance  of 
rations  were  issued.  "We  were  very  hungry,  says  one  of  the  boys, 
it  having  been  nineteen  and  a  half  hours,  since  we  received  a 


134  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


ration."  He  adds:  "Alas,  this  was  too  soon  gone  and  we  smacked 
out  lips  for  more." 

The  rebels  were  greatly  frightened  on  that  Sunday.  A  Union 
raid  up  the  peninsular  approached  within  four  miles  of  Richmond. 
It  was  observed  by  the  prisoners  that  there  was  great  excitement 
in  the  city.  Troops  were  sent  on  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg 
Railroad  as  rapidly  as  possible  all  day  long,  and  citizens  were  under 
arms,  including  boys  fifteen  and  sixteen  years  old,  and  every 
means  and  precaution  were  used  to  give  the  hated  Yankees  a 
warm  reception. 

At  night,  however,  the  trouble  was  over  and  next  day  all  was 
quiet  as  usual. 

The  evening  of  the  3Oth,  was  a  time  of  great  joy  to  the  cap 
tives,  rumors  had  been  rife  through  the  day  of  a  speedy  parole. 
About  dark  the  order  was  given,  "iall  in,"  and  was  obeyed  on  the 
double  quick.  The  boys  were  then  marched  outside  the  camp 
and  told  that  they  were  to  be  paroled  that  night  and  start  for 
City  Point  at  3  o'clock  the  next  morning.  A  correspondent  says: 
A  more  joyous  and  light-hearted  body  of  men  were  never  together 
than  we  were  on  the  reception  of  this  news.  Many  of  the  boys 
hardly  knew  what  to  do  with  themselves,  being  so  completely 
overjoyed  at  the  thought  of  so  soon  bidding  adieu  to  rebel 
"hospitality"  and  sitting  under  the  old  flag  once  more.  Our 
small  allowance  of  meat  and  bread  was  dealt  out  to  us  for  the 
next  day,  but  was  quickly  devoured  by  a  majority  of  the  boys  in 
somewhat  of  a  greedy  manner,  after  this,  were  told  we  could  lie 
down  and  sleep.  It  was  a  beautiful  night  and  our  accommodations 
for  sleep  far  better  than  inside  of  the  camp.  But  the  boys  were 
so  elated  at  the  idea  of  their  freedom  there  was  but  little  sleep 
done  that  night.  One  of  the  boys  who  has  since  slept  that  "sleep 
that  knows  no  waking,"  wrote  as  follows  in  his  journal  the  next 
da),  "I  lay  two  or  three  hours  watching  the  stars.  The  full  moon 
shone  brightly,  making  the  night  almost  as  light  as  the  day,  and 
although  we  were  prisoners  yet  it  seemed  very  pleasant  to  get  out 


Capt.    CHARLES  D.  BOWEN. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  135 


upon  the  green  grass  once  more."  At  length  the  hour  of  three 
A.  M.  came,  nearly  every  man  was  awake  and  anxiously  waiting 
to  hear  the  order,  "Eighteenth  Connecticut  fall  in,"  but  no  such 
order  was  heard.  The  joyous  sound  had  been  anxiously  waited 
for,  and  what  a  disappointment.  In  painful  suspense  the  boys 
waited  until  six  o'clock,  and  then  they  were  informed  that  the 
order  for  their  release  had  been  countermanded,  the  reason  as 
signed  was  that  a  bridge  on  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  Rail 
road  had  broken  down  and  they  must  wait  repairs.  The  men  were 
then  ordered  back  into  camp,  and  they  obeyed  with  feelings  which 
no  pen  can  describe. 

What  a  change  came  over  the  spirits  of  those  men.  Every 
countenance  so  radiant  with  joy  but  a  few  hours  before  now  gave 
the  clearest  evidence  of  sorrow,  too  deep  and  painful  for  expres 
sion, — one  of  Company  A  says:  "I  think,  none  of  as  were  more 
thoroughly  disheartened  during  the  whole  time  we  were  prisoners 
than  at  that  moment."  And  it  is  no  wonder,  the  thought  of 
returning  again  to  that  filthy  miserable  camp,  was  almost  enough 
to  drive  one  to  distraction  and  madness.  Those  who  have  not 
been  captive  in  a  Southern  prison,  can  have  but  little  conception 
of  the  real  soul  agony  of  that  hour. 

To  add  to  their  misery  on  their  return  it  was  found  that  even 
the  poor  tents  which  some  had  occupied  were  in  possession  of 
others,  and  we  were  obliged  to  receive  the  rays  of  a  scorching  sun 
without  the  least  protection.  "All  we  could  do  says  one,  was  to 
make  the  best  of  it.  I  bought  three  small  biscuits  for  one  dollar 
and  very  poor  at  that." 

About  ten  A.  M,  another  order  came  to  remove  three  hundred 
of  the  prisoners  over  to  Libby.  This  number  consisted  of  a  por 
tion  of  the  cavalry,  artillery  and  each  of  the  different  regiments 
of  infantry  represented  in  the  camps.  Company  A  and  the  non 
commissioned  officers  of  Company  B  were  the  only  ones  of  the 
Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers,  which  the  order  included. 
But  we  will  let  George  H.  Ray,  of  Company  A,  tell  the  rest  of 


136  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


this  story.  "We  knew  not  what  was  to  be  done  with  us,  but 
hoped  we  were  to  be  fortunate  enough  to  be  paroled.  The  re 
mainder  of  our  poor  boys  crowded  as  near  the  embankment  as 
they  dared  to  bid  us  good-bye,  and  to  say  what  message  to  send 
to  their  friends  at  home,  should  they  be  fortunate  enough  to 
reach  Yankee  land.  Never  shall  I  forget  the  earnest,  longing 
look  depicted  on  their  faces  as  we  marched  away.  Reached  Libby 
about  noon,  and  were  ordered  to  make  our  quarters  on  the  first 
floor.  While  marching  over  from  the  Island,  a  little  incident  oc- 

£> 

curred  which  is  perhaps  worthy  of  notice.  Some  of  the  boys  who 
had  a  little  money,  wished  to  purchase  bread  of  the  little  fellows 
selling  it  in  the  streets  uf  the  city,  but  were  not  allowed  to  do  so 
by  the  guard.  I  was  much  amused  to  see  one  of  the  little  fellows 
who  had  been  trying  for  some  time  to  get  near  enough  to  us  to 
sell  some  of  his  bread,  but  was  driven  away  several  times.  Com 
ing  up  again  and  getting  as  near  as  he  could,  and  keeping  his 
eyes  upon  the  guard,  he  threw  two  or  three  loaves  to  our  boys,  at 
the  same  time  exclaiming  "there,  they  have  them  in  spite  of  you." 
The  afternoon  was  devoted  to  cleaning  our  persons  as  we  had 
opportunity,  water  being  brought  into  the  prison  from  the  river, 
by  means  of  pipes.  We  made  a  business  of  it  too,  for  each  one 
had  accumulated  a  pretty  respectable  portion  of  mother  earth 
during  our  stay  on  the  Island." 

Rations  were  issued  about  dark,  after  which  we  prepared  for 
sleep.  About  eleven  o'clock  we  were  aroused  by  the  entrance  of 
the  prison  officials,  one  of  whom  exclaimed  in  a  harsh  voice,  "fall 
in."  This  command  brought  us  to  our  feet  at  once,  and  we  were 
in  line  just  as  soon  as  each  one  could  scrape  together  the  few 
articles  remaining  in  his  possession.  We  were  then  counted  by 
one  of  these  rascals,  who  immediately  began  to  curse  in  a  hor 
rible  manner,  declaring  that  there  were  eleven  more  men  in  the 
room  than  belonged  there,  and  that  they  had  better  step  out 
and  go  up  to  the  second  floor,  or  he  would  take  means  to  find 
them  out  and  punish  them  severely.  No  one  stirred,  so  he  con- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


tinued  cursing  and  threatening  until  he  was  nearly  out  of  breath, 
when  he  commanded  us  to  remain  where  we  were,  and  not  move 
an  inch  under  penalty  of  very  severe  punishment  while  he  went 
up  stairs  to  count  the  prisoners  on  the  'second  and  third  floors. 
After  doing  this,  he  came  down,  raging  worse  than  ever,  threaten 
ing  if  those  eleven  men  did  not  step  out,  he  would  send  us  all 
back  to  Belle  Island,  and  that  we  should  be  the  last  to  be  paroled. 
But  all  remained  quiet  as  before.  We  began  to  fear  that  our  last 
hope  had  vanished,  when  he  came  to  the  conclusion  he  would 
count  us  once  more,  and  by  comparing  the  number  with  his  mem 
orandum,  learned  that  he  had  made  a  mistake,  and  that  we  were 
all  right.  He  then  left  us;  a  short  time  afterward  we  were  or 
dered  to  fall  in,  this  time  for  parole.  A  rebel  captain  then  came 
in,  and  ordering  a  certain  number  of  us  to  raise  our  right  hands, 
proceeded  to  read  the  parole,  the  substance  of  which  was,  that 
we  would  not  take  up  arms  again  against  the  Government  of  the 
Confederate  States  of  America  until  we  were  lawfully  exchanged. 
Each  man  was  required  separately  to  assent  to  this  parole.  The 
officer  then  went  to  the  second  and  third  floors  above  and  paroled 
those  there,  eight  hundred  in  all.  We  were  then  left  to  ourselves 
again  until  about  two  o'clock,  when  we  were  ordered  to  march  out. 
This  order  was  obeyed  in  excellent  time.  Every  one  who  had 
a  blanket  was  ordered  to  leave  it  in  the  prison,  under  penalty  of 
being  sent  back  to  Belle  Island,  and  to  cap  the  climax,  as  we 
passed  out,  our  cups,  knives,  forks,  spoons  and  plates  were  taken, 
thereby  depriving  us  of  everything  we  had  when  we  were  cap 
tured,  except  the  clothing  on  our  backs.  Each  man  then  received 
a  small  piece  of  bread,  after  which  we  took  up  our  line  of  march 
for  the  R.  &  P.  R.  R.  depot  with  a  light  step  and  much  lighter 
hearts.  As  we  passed  Castle  Thunder  we  were  greeted  by  a 
number  of  ladies,  who  had  been  held  as  hostages,  and  who  were 
to  go  on  the  same  train  with  us.  Not  a  word  was  spoken  by 
either  party,  but  the  silent  waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  hands, 
in  that  early  dawn,  expressed  the  feelings  of  all  as  well  or  better 


138  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


than  words  could  have  done.  Arriving  at  the  depot  we  were  or 
dered  into  old,  and  worn-out  freight  cars,  the  ladies  having 
been  provided  with  a  passenger  car,  and  soon  after  we  started  for 
Petersburg.  Progress  was  very  slow,  and  about  two-thirds  of  the 
distance  was  completed  when  we  were  obliged  to  switch  off,  and 
wait  for  trains.  Here  we  were  detained  about  an  hour,  which  seemed 
much  longer.  Passing  along  a  little  further,  we  came  to  where 
a  bridge  was  broken  down,  and  were  obliged  to  change  cars  on 
the  opposite  side.  Here  we  met  the  eight  hundred  rebel  prisoners, 
on  their  way  to  Richmond  in  exchange  for  us.  They  presented 
a  striking  contrast  to  us,  were  all  hale  and  hearty,  had  their  blan 
kets,  knapsacks,  canteens  and  haversacks  with  them,  while  we  had 
not  a  single  article  in  that  line  left  us.  This  made  the  boys  feel 
unpleasant,  but  concluding  discretion  to  be  the  better  part  of 
valor,  they  said  but  little.  Reached  Petersburg  about  ten  o'clock, 
having  been  six  hours  making  the  distance  from  Richmond.  Here 
we  changed  cars  again,  and  were  delayed  but  a  few  moments, 
when  we  started  for  City  Point.  Nothing  of  special  interest  oc- 
cured  on  the  route  until  we  came  to  the  river  and  saw  the  flag 
of  truce  boat,  with  the  old  flag  waving  in  the  breeze.  Then  the 
cheers  that  went  up  from  the  boys  were  fairly  deafening.  It  was 
a  moment  of  profound  interest,  and  the  impression  one  never 
to  be  effaced.  I  doubt  if  any  of  us  ever  experienced  a  happier 
moment. 

The  first  paroled  squad  of  the  Eighteenth,  Company  A  and 
ten  men  of  Company  B,  never  saw  the  "old  flag"  under  such  in 
teresting  circumstances  before.  To  them  it  was  the  emblem  of 
liberty,  peace  and  plenty.  Under  the  dominion  of  the  "rebel  rag" 
they  had  been  shamefully  abused,  degraded,  almost  starved,  and 
treated  like  dogs,  but  the  clay  of  redemption  had  come,  and  no 
wonder  the  boys  were  filled  with  transports  of  joy.  Cheer  after 
cheer  went  up  for  the  old  flog,  much  to  the  chagrin  and  discom 
fort  of  the  rebels,  who  were  soon  to  surrender  these  men  to  the 
protection  of  the  "Stars  and  Stripes."  The  last  act  was  accomp- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  139 


lished  about  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  July  2<I  The  men  went  on  board 
the  steamer  New  York,  and  were  soon  luxuriatingon  Uncle  Sam's 
coffee,  meat,  and  good  bread.  Such  a  feast,  and  it  was  made  the 
most  of.  The  voyage  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  was  delightful,  at  which 
place  the  New  York,  with  its  joyous  occupants,  arrived  Friday, 
July  3d,  and  the  men  were  sent  to  the  parole  camp. 

There  still  remained  on  Belle  Island  the  remainder  of  Com 
pany  B,  about  fifty  members  of  Company  G;  of  C,  fifty-four;  D, 
eight;  E,  sixty;  F,  fifty-three;  H,  forty-nine  and  forty-one  of  Com 
pany  I.  It  was  a  matter  of  great  wonder  to  them  why  they 
could  not  have  been  paroled  with  the  others.  It  seemed  to  them 
harder  and  more  cruel  than  ever  to  submit  to  their  fate.  The  fourth 
of  July  was  a  gloomy  day  on  Belle  Island;  never  had  these  men 
seen  the  return  of  "Independence  day"  under  such  deplorable 
circumstances.  Some  of  the  boys  tried  to  make  the  best  of  the 
situation,  and  celebrate  by  singing  patriotic  songs,  and  bidding  de 
fiance  to  rebel  hate  and  power.  On  the  whole  as  one  of  the  boys, 
James  M.  Smith,  Company  K,  wrote  in  his  daily  journal,  "It 
was  about  the  most  lonesome  Fourth  I  ever  saw."  During  the  clay 
the  men  were  ordered  out  into  line  and  counted.  The  rebels  were 
sure  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  the  liberty  loving  Yankees,  es 
pecially  on  'Independence  clay.'  If  the  boys  had  been  well  in 
formed  as  their  comrades  at  Annapolis  on  that  memorable  Fourth, 
they  would  have  made  the  ears  of  the  rebels  tingle  with  their 
shouts.  For  on  that  day  the  tide  of  rebellion  was  turned  at  Get 
tysburg — the  National  Unity  was  virtually  restored,  and  the 
Stars  and  Stripes  rose  again  with  new  splendor  and  glory. 

But  the  boys  had  no  way  of  getting  the  news  except  by  smug 
gling  rebel  papers.  For  several  days  about  this  time  copies  of  a 
paper  were  in  some  way  secured;  or  as  late  as  the  /th  of  July  a 
Richmond  paper  was  obtained,  but  it  had  no  news  of  importance. 
The  news  at  that  time  wras  not  of  the  right  kind  to  circulate  very 
freely  at  the  rebel  capital.  Nearly  half  of  Lee's  army  was  de 
stroyed,  and  the  remaining  portion,  in  a  shattered  condition,  was 


1 40  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


in  full  retreat  up  the  Shenandoah.  The  men  who  had  jeered 
and  laughed  at  the  misfortunes  of  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut, 
on  the  1 5th  of  June,  were  either  lying  wounded  or  dead  on  the 
fields  of  Gettysburg,  or  a  discomfited,  disorganized  mass  seeking 
safety  from  Union  bullets  and  bayonets.  They  had  learned  to 
their  sorrow  that  "one  rebel  could  not  whip  five  Yankees."  On 
the  sixth  day  of  this  month  one  thousand  more  Union  prisoners 
were  paroled.  Among  this  number  there  was  another  squad  of 
the  Eighteenth,  who  arrived  at  Annapolis  on  the  Qth  of  July. 
On  the  loth  rebel  papers  were  obtained  again.  By  this  time 
they  began  to  publish  a  part  of  the  truth  with  reference  to  the 
disaster  to  Lee's  army,  and  the  hope  of  a  speedy  deliverance  was 
aroused  among  the  remainder  of  the  regiment  on  Belle  Island. 
On  this  day  an  event  occurred  which  inspired  great  indignation: 
a  rebel  ruffian  stabbed  a  Union  soldier  who  accidently  slipped 
into  the  ditch  beyond  which  none  were  allowed  to  pass.  On 
July  i  2th  it  was  rumored  that  the  remainder  of  the  Eighteenth 
would  be  paroled  the  next  day.  But  "1  take  this  rumor,"  said 
the  Smith  already  quoted,  "without  giving  it  much  credit." 
Hope  deferred  had  made  the  heart  sick.  No  wonder  he  was  un 
believing.  But  the  next  day  was  one  of  great  joy  to  him  and 
other  comrades,  but  not  to  all.  The  welcome  order  came, 
"Eighteenth  Connecticut  fall  in."  This  was  obeyed  instantly, 
even  those  who  had  been  so  reduced  by  want  and  hardships  that 
they  could  hardly  stand,  were  prompt  in  getting  into  line.  Yet 
some  were  doomed  to  disappointment.  Four  non-commissioned 
officers  of  Company  C,  and  some  of  each  company,  were  marched 
back  again  wearing  sorrowful  faces. 

The  rest,  in  company  with  others,  about  seven  hundred  in  all, 
were  marched  over  to  Libby  prison  and  shut  up  for  the  night. 
On  the  way  an  old  woman  gave  one  of  the  men  a  large  loaf  of 
bread,  refusing  to  receive  any  pay  for  it. 

July  1 4th  this  squad  was  subjected  to  the  same  process  as 
former  companies,  and  received  in  return  for  their  knives,  blank- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  141 


ets,  cups,  plates,  &c.,  only  a  small  ration  of  bread.  Soon  the 
men  were  on  the  way  to  the  cars,  which  were  to  convey  them  to 
Petersburg.  Here  we  will  retire  and  permit  comrade  Smith,  of 
Company  K,  to  tell  the  story  of  deliverance  from  rebel  rule: 

''We  started  for  the  land  of  plenty,  but  at  a  slow  rate,  looked 
on  Belle  Island  as  we  passed  for  the  last  time,  rode  through  a 
rough-looking-  country,  though  abounding  with  blackberries,  on 
which  the  men  made  attacks  whenever  the  cars  stopped.  Ex 
changed  cars  at  Petersburg  for  City  Point,  nine  miles,  where  we 
went  on  board  a  transport — the  New  York.  In  a  short  time  we 
drew  our  rations,  consisting  of  coffee,  half  a  loaf  of  good  bread, 
and  a  large  piece  of  bacon,  It  was  the  best  meal  we  had  eaten 
for  a  month.  We  had  also  all  the  coffee  we  wanted,  Soon  we 
were  under  way,  and  passing  down  the  smooth  waters  of  the  fa 
mous  river  came  in  sight  of  two  monitors  and  three  or  four  other 
iron-clads,  Our  men  cheered  lustily,  and  the  gallant  tars  re 
sponded  with  a  will.  What  a  difference  the  coffee  had  made  in 
our  spirits;  all  were  smiling,  cheering,  laughing  and  talking. 
Reached  Newport  News  and  Hampton  Roads  about  seven  o'clock 
P.  M.,  and  cast  anchor  off  Fortress  Monroe."  From  this  place 
the  men  had  a  pleasant  passage  to  Annapolis,  where  we  shall 
leave  them  for  the  present  with  their  comrades,  who  had  preced 
ed  them,  in  comfortable  quarters,  with  good  rations,  new  cloth 
ing,  excellent  facilities  for  bathing,  and  possessing  almost  every 
convenience  and  blessing  of  home-life.  "It  seems  like  home," 
said  one,  "to  be  once  more  under  the  old  banner  and  to  go  and 
come  as  one  pleases."  Under  these  circumstances  most  of  the 
men  soon  gained  their  health  and  spirits,  took  delight  in  visiting 
places  of  public  interest,  and  viewing  the  delightful  scenery  of 
the  surrounding  country  lying  along  the  river. 

Having  followed  the  captured  portion  of  the  regiment  to  the 
rebel  prison  and  to  parole  camp,  we  will  now  trace  the  wan 
derings  of  the  uncaptured. 


142  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CHAPTER  VI. 


THE    ESCAPE    FROM    WINCHESTER. 


As  soon  as  it  had  been  determined  to  evacuate  Winchester 
the  teamsters  were  ordered  to  cut  their  horses  and  mules  from 
the  wagons  and  save  them  from  capture  if  possible.  After  the 
attack  of  the  rebels  on  Monday  morning  many  of  the  teamsters 
ran  their  horses  and  mules  to  the  mountains.  Several  of  the 
Eighteenth  teamsters  escaped  in  this  way.  Henry  M.  Durfey, 
wagon  master,  writes  on  Wednesday,  as  follows:  "At  half- 
past  two  o'clock  brought  up  at  Hancock.  I  have  had  nothing  to 
eat  since  Sunday  noon.  One  of  the  men  has  just  brought  in 
a  loaf  of  bread  for  five  of  us.  No  sleep  till  last  night  since  Fri 
day  night;  slept  and  fed  in  a  wheat  field  last  night.  But  in 
comes  a  cavalryman  who  says  the  rebels  are  within  four  miles  of 
us  and  1  must  put  out  for  Pennsylvania.  June  iQth,  at  Bedford, 
Pennsylvania.  At  four  P.  M.  we  left  Hancock,  went  seven  miles 
and  were  driven  back,  and  at  noon  started  for  Cumberland. 
When  we  arrived  at  Flintsville,  thirty  miles  from  Cumberland, 
heard  the  rebels  were  already  there.  So  we  took  to  the  woods, 
sixteen  miles  from  Chaunceyville,  and  camped  for  the  night.  In 
the  morning  started  for  this  place,  twenty-six  miles  distant.  We 
had  received  nothing  to  eat  for  forty-eight  hours,  except  what 
we  begged  as  we  jogged  along.  At  Rainsburg — every  soldier 
will  remember  that  place — the  ladies  set  their  tables  with  the 
best  the  place  afforded,  and  every  man  was  made  welcome.  I 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  143 

ate  dinner  with  ten  others  and  tears  stood  in  almost  every  eye 
as  we  sat  at  the  table.  Only  twenty  of  the  Eighteenth  are  here; 
where  the  rest  are  the  Lord  only  knows.  The  rebels  are  only 
six  miles  away,  our  forces  are  scouting,  the  bugle  sounds,  and 
we  must  be  off  for  Bloody  Run.  Many  others  had  a  similar  ex 
perience;  we  at  length  arrived  at  Bloody  Run,  and  on  July  T4th 
were  among  the  first  to  enter  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  after  Lee's 
evacuation  of  the  place. 

George  Torrey,  Company  D,  color  sergeant,  saved  the  State 
banner,  being  among  the  number  who  escaped  by  way  of  Bloody 
Run.  It  was  a  noble  deed,  as  well  as  a  very  hazardous  one.  It 
was  too  galling  for  the  officer  in  command,  to  see  his  own  State 
colors  surrendered  to  the  proud  and  exultant  enemy,  But  there 
seemed  to  be  no  alternative,  unless  they  could  be  destroyed,  and 
it  is  said  an  order  was  given  to  that  effect.  But  Torrey  boldly 
resolved  to  escape,  taking  the  colors  from  the  staff,  and  winding 
them  around  his  body.  He  followed  the  trail  of  his  retreating 
comrades  over  the  mountains,  and  the  precious  burden  was  cheer 
fully  borne  along,  during  all  the  long  and  weary  march,  and 
at  length  restored  to  the  shattered  and  depleted_regiment,  which 
had  fought  to  the  very  last  to  preserve  it  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy. 

Thus  the  men  who  had  been  sworn  to  stand  by  their  State  and 
country's  flag,  were  not  wanting  in  the  hour  of  trial.  Every 
member  of  the  regiment  felt  a  glow  of  pride,  that  the  rebels  had 
failed  to  capture  the  beautiful  flag,  the  gift  of  the  ladies  of  Nor 
wich,  Conn.,  and  felt  bound  by  special  obligations  to  comrade 
Torrey,  for  his  successful  effort  to  thwart  their  purpose.  All 
honor  to  the  soldier  who  saved 'the  state  colors. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fifteenth  of  June  1863,  the  Eighteenth 
regiment  was  broken  into  several  divisions,  the  largest  of  which, 
487  men,  we  have  followed  from  Winchester  to  Richmond,  and 
thence,  after  eighteen  or  twenty  days,  to  Annapolis,  Md.  There 
were  about  two  hundred  men  who  escaped  capture,  by  a  flank 


144  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


movement  over  the  mountains  to  the  west,  and  finally  arrived 
at  Bloody  Run,  Penn.  It  has  been  stated  elsewhere  that  Com 
pany  I),  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Joseph  Mathewson  was 
on  special  duty  on  the  morning  of  the  fatal  fifteenth  of  June, 
in  charge  of  about  forty  rebel  prisoners.  This  company,  with 
Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third,  Ohio,  and 
Company  D,  Twelfth  Virginia,  had  been  doing  guard  duty  in 
Winchester,  during  which  time  the  above  number  prisoners  had 
been  entrusted  to  their  care.  These  companies  received  orders 
from  Gen.  Milroy  to  take  the  prisoners  to  the  rear,  or  to  the 
left,  towards  the  mountains.  They  did  so  and  then  halted.  Very 
soon  an  orderly  from  Gen.  Milroy  arrived,  with  an  order  to  leave 
the  prisoners  in  charge  of  a  few  picked  men,  and  join  their  regi 
ment  in  the  fight,  for  the  battle  seemed  to  be  going  against 
them.  The  order  was  being  obeyed  on  the  double  quick,  when 
another  orderly  met  them,  and  informed  them  of  the  surrender 
of  the  Union  forces,  and  ordered  them  to  rlee  to  the  moun 
tains.  This  order  was  immediately  obeyed.  Company  D,  thereby, 
escaped  capture.  Then  commenced  a  long  and  tedious  march, 
the  hardships  and  privations  of  which  can  never  be  fully  des 
cribed.  During  the  day  this  flying  detachment  was  joined  by  a 
large  number  of  the  Eighteenth,  and  other  regiments,  who  had 
participated  in  the  morning  fight,  making  a  force  in  all  of  about 
twelve  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Washburne, 
One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Ohio.  It  is  said  that  this  force 
marched  forty  miles  the  first  day,  an  achievement,  however,  that 
seems  hardly  credible.  No  doubt  the  distance  seemed  as  great 
to  those  who  marched  over  it,  The  column  moved  early  the 
next  morning,  passed  through  the  village  of  Bath,  forded  the 
Potomac  at  Sir  John's  Run,  and  arrived  at  Hancock,  Md.,  soon 
after  noon.  At  this  place,  the  boys  drew  some  ham  and  were 
on  the  point  of  cooking  it,  when  the  alarm  was  given  that  the 
rebels  were  coming.  Formed  a  line  of  battle,  on  a  hill  near  by, 
but  no  attack  was  made,  However,  the  boys  lost  their  supper. 


Capt.   SAMUEL  R.  KMAPP. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  145 


Were  ordered  from  this  place  to  Orleans  Station,  to  take  the 
cars  for  Cumberland.  Started  about  ten  o'clock  P.  M.,  marched 
nearly  all  night,  arriving  at  Orleans  about  noon  on  Wednesday, 
a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles.  Here  the  unwelcome  intelligence 
was  received  that  Cumberland  was  in  the  hands  of  the  rebels, 
and  the  railroad  was  destroyed  in  that  direction.  On  the  march 
again  Thursday  morning  early,  and  all  day,  a  long  weary  day 
it  was,  and  at  night  slept  among  the  mountains  in  Pennsylvania. 
Friday,  at  daylight,  the  almost  exhausted  column  was  march 
ing  on,  and  about  two  P.  M.  arrived  at  Bloody  Run,  in  Bed 
ford  County,  after  five  days  of  almost  unprecedented  marching. 
Three  nights  the  column  marched  constantly  and  the  longest 
rest  at  one  time  was  thirty  minutes.  Generally  a  stop  of 
five  minutes  was  made  each  hour.  The  route  pursued  was 
circuitous,  to  avoid  the  rebels,  and  it  was  thereby  made  all  the 
more  tedious  and  embarrassing.  The  days  were  very  hot,  and 
F.  G.  Bixby,  then  Orderly  of  Company  D,  says  that  many  of  the 
men  fell  out  on  account  of  sun  stroke.  One  day  the  men  were 
short  of  water,  and  it  was  so  hot  that  their  tongues  swelled  terri 
bly.  At  Bloody  Run,  Gen.  Milroy  was  found,  who  had  a  force 
with  him  of  six  hundred  men,  which  swelled  the  retreating  col 
umn  to  about  eighteen  hundred.  The  whole  distance  marched 
was  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  By  June  25th,  there 
were  collected  at  Bloody  Run  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the 
Eighteenth,  with  only  six  commissioned  officers,  and  three  of 
these  belonged  to  Company  D.  It  should  be  stated  that  the 
forty  rebel  prisoners  in  charge  of  Company  D,  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  retreat,  gave  out  on  the  fourth  day  and  were  paroled 
by  Col.  Washburne.  The  march  over  the  mountains,  with  little 
-or  no  food,  was  too  severe  on  them.  At  Bloody  Run,  the  boys 
found  enough  to  eat,  and  felt  comparatively  safe  from  their  rebel 
pursuers.  Besides  Company  D,  and  members  of  other  compa 
nies  of  the  Eighteenth,  who  joined  them  in  their  hasty  retreat, 
there  were  little  squads  of  the  regiment  scattered  all  along  the 

19 


146  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


way  from  Winchester  to  Bloody  Run.  These  made  their  way 
into  the  Union  lines,  and  at  length  joined  their  comrades,  mak 
ing  the  whole  number  as  stated  above.  If  the  personal  advent 
ures  of  these  men  were  recor  '  i-hev  would  form  a  large  and 
interesting  volume.  Two  or  U*  incidents  are  here  given  as  a 
specimen.  Lieut.  Horatio  Blanchard,  Company  B,  writes  from 
Bloody  Run  to  his  parents,  June  23d,  as  follows:  "We  are  safe 
as  yet,  thank  God  !  After  the  last  charge,  I  heard  that  Captain 
Bates  was  wounded  through  the  arm,  so  I  took  one  man  and 
went  to  look  after  him.  We  went  on  until  the  rebels  were  close 
upon  us  and  then  we  left.  We  could  find  none  of  our  forces  at 
all,  but  Caleb  (his  brother)  and  George  Heath.  We  cut  our 
way  through  the  skirmishers,  and  then  their  cavalry  dashed  after 
us.  We  ran  through  a  cleared  lot,  over  a  hill,  and  doubled  and 
came  back  and  laid  down  in  the  grass.  The  cavalry  passed  on. 
We  could  see  them  all  around  us,  and  expected  every  moment 
to  be  taken,  but,  thank  God!  they  did  not  see  us.  We  lay  in 
the  grass  till  all  had  left,  and  then  started  and  went  about 
three  miles  when  women  came  out  and  begged  of  us  to  hurry 
and  hide.  We  crawled  under  a  fence,  and  again  the  rebels  came 
all  around  us.  After  they  went  away  the  women  brought  us 
something  to  eat  and  drink,  and  at  dark  we  went  into  the  mount 
ains.  We  started  for  Martinsburg,  but  the  rebels  were  there, 
then  we  struck  for  Blooming  Gap,  and  arrived  there  Tuesday 
night.  We  started  again  Wednesday  morning,  and  got  into 
a  village  about  nine  A.  M.t  and  found  something  to  eat;  then 
went  down  the  canal,  through  the  tunnel,  and  sat  down  to  rest. 
About  one  mile  from  the  village  a  man  came  dashing  through 
saying,  'The  rebels  are  coming,'  he  rushed  away  for  the 
mountains.  We  went  about  two  miles  and  came  to  a  house, 
where  were  good  Union  people  who  brought  us  something  to 
eat,  and  we  staid  there  four  days.  Th^n  started  for  this  place, 
traveled  thirty-^  miles  yesterday.  Arrived  h^re  this  morning 
about  nine  o'clock,  marching  ten  miles  without  any  breakfast. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  H7 


Twenty-one  of  our  boys  (Company  B,)  are  here  and  glad  to  see 
us.  We  ate  breakfast,  and  then  reported  to  Gen.  Milroy  for 
duty,  1  lost  everything  but  my  sword  and  revolver." 

On  the  i8th  of  June,  Maj.  Peale  and  his  little  band,  with  the 
Twelfth  Virginia,  were  ordered  to  join  the  Kighty-seventh  Penn 
sylvania  Volunteers,  and  they  remained  with  this  regiment  two 
or  three  days  assisting  in  work  on  the  fortification  of  the  Heights 
After  this,  Gen.  Tyler  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  being  in  command 
of  the  Heights,  ordered  Maj.  Peale  and  men  to  his  headquarters. 
While  on  duty  here,  H.  H.  Starkweather  and  Dr.  Carleton,  from 
Norwich,  paid  us  a  visit  to  render  assistance,  and  ascertain 
further  particulars  concerning  the  fate  ol  the  regiment. 

Remained  at  this  post  about  ten  days.  Gen.  French,  who  re 
lieved  Gen.  Tyler  in  command,  ordered  Maj.  Peale  to  report 
again  to  the  Eighty-seventh  Pennsylvania.  While  in  this  posi 
tion  the  boys  had  a  plain  view  of  the  rebels  crossing  the  Poto 
mac  at  Williamsport;  at  the  same  time  Gen.  Hooker  was 
crossing  the  river  below  at  Point  of  Rocks.  The  spectacle  was 
grand  and  impressive. 

Gen.  Hooker  soon  ordered  the  evacuation  of  the  Heights,  and 
directed  that  all  the  military  stores  be  put  on  board  the  canal 
boats,  to  be  conveyed  to  Washington. 

When  Gen.  Meade  relieved  Gen.  Hooker,  the  force  on  the 
Heights  were  ordered  to  join  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  excepting 
a  division  which  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  stores  above  men 
tioned.  The  Eighteenth  was  included  in  this  division.  It  took 
them  two  days  to  reach  Georgetown,  where  they  remained  one 
day,  July  the  4th.  Just  at  night  marched  to  Tennallytown,  a 
short  distance  from  Georgetown.  Remained  there  one  night  and 
day.  On  Monday  morning,  the  following  day,  marched  through 
Georgetown  and  Washington,  and  passing  by  the  principal  public 
buildings  of  the  Capital,  at  last  reached  the  Baltimore  depot, 
nearly  exhausted.  The  mud  was  very  deep,  making  the  march 
difficult,  and  exceedingly  tiresome.  Remained  quiet  the  balance 
of  the  day. 


148  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Left  Washington  on  the  evening  train  for  the  Relay  House, 
and  were  then  transferred  to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
reaching  Frederick  City,  Md.,  after  two  or  three  days  of  the 
slowest  railroading  ever  experienced.  Passed  through  this  place 
to  South  Mountain,  and  were  in  line  of  battle  nearly  two  days. 
Then  joined  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  Took  an  active  part  in 
the  campaign  of  Maryland  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  march 
ing,  countermarching,  and  skirmishing  with  the  rebels,  until  Gen. 
Lee  recrossed  the  Potomac.  Major  Peale  remained  with  the 
third  army  corps  on  its  return  to  Virginia,  by  the  way  of  South 
Mountain,  Pleasant  Valley,  Sandy  Hook,  Harpers'  Ferry,  Loudon 
Heights,  up  the  Loudon  Valley  as  far  as  Snicker's  Ford,  and  Ash- 
by's  Gap,  intercepting  fragments  of  the  rebel  army,  in  full  retreat  up 
the  valley  and  capturing  in  all  about  five  thousand  prisoners.  The 
night  after  leaving  Harper's  Ferry  was  rainy  and  dark,  and  the 
road  rough  and  difficult  of  passage.  Went  into  camp  about  mid 
night,  and  early  the  next  morning  marched  on  leisurely,  picking 
blackberries  by  the  way,  and  at  night  went  into  camp  near  a  place 
called  Pepperville. 

Next  day  Major  Peale  at  his  own  request,  was  ordered  to  return 
to  Maryland,  in  search  of  that  part  of  the  regiment  which  es 
caped  from  Summit  Point  by  way  of  the  mountains  and  Bloody 
Run.  This  was  on  Saturday,  and  on  the  following  morning,  while 
the  army  of  the  Potomac  was  marching  further  south,  Major 
Peale  and  his  men  were  marching  toward  Harper's  Ferry,  where 
he  arrived  the  same  day,  recrosslng  the  Potomac,  and  passing  up 
the  river  road  and  arrived  at  Sharpsburg  about  nine  o'clock  the 
same  evening,  having  marched  over  thirty  miles  during  the  day. 
The  other  portion  of  the  regiment  did  not  know  ol  the  arrival  of 
Major  Peale,  until  the  next  morning,  when  the  boys  exchanged 
the  most  joyful  greetings,  and  related  with  great  interest  their 
experience  during  the  time  of  their  separation.  It  was  about  six 
weeks  since  they  had  met,  though  it  was  ascertained  that  they 
had  been  very  near  each  other  several  times,  during  the  Mary- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  149 


land  campaign.     The    boys  who  met  near  the  old  barn  on  that 
eventful  morning,  will  never  forget  the  emotions  of  the  hour. 

While  the  greater  part  of  the  regiment  were  suffering  hard 
ships,  sickness  and  want  in  Libby,  and  Belle  Island,  or  actual  peril 
from  their  enemies  Major  Peale  and  his  command  were  enjoy 
ing  comparative  rest,  and  recruiting  their  spirits  and  energies,  re 
duced  by  long  and  tiresome  marches,  painful  want  and  privations. 
Gen.  Smith  was  in  command  at  Hagerstown,  and  Capt.  Mathewson 
of  Company  D  was  provost  Marshall  until  the  eighth  of  August, 
when  he  was  relieved,  and  Maj.  Peale  took  the  position.  It  was  said 
that  Capt.  Mathewson  discharged  his  duty  so  faithfully  that  the 
rebel  sympathizers  seconded  his  removal.  If  this  was  so,  they 
gained  nothing  by  the  change,  as  Major  Peale  performed  his  duty 
fearlessly,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  loyal  citizens  of  the  place 
Lieut.  Morrison,  Company  I,  with  about  thirty  men  was  engaged 
with  an  ambulance  corps,  to  bring  in  sick  and  wounded  soldiers. 
After  Lee's  retreat,  the  country,  for  miles  on  his  route,  was  filled 
with  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  almost  every  house  had  its  share 
of  these  unfortunates.  Through  the  efforts  of  the  Eighteenth, 
the  hospitals  at  Hagerstown  were  filled  with  these  men,  where 
their  every  want  was  supplied  through  the  proper  channels,  and 
by  the  assistance  of  patriotic  citizens  of  the  place.  In  no  town  in 
Maryland  did  wounded  or  sick  soldiers  receive  more  care  and  at 
tention,  than  in  Hagerstown.  At  length  the  headquarters  of  the 
Eighteenth  were  removed  just  outside  of  the  town,  as  the  wound 
ed  of  both  armies  were  being  gathered  into  tents  at  that  point. 
This  arrangement  kept  the  whole  regiment  very  busy,  and  the  of 
ficers  were  unremitting  in  their  care  ot  their  men,  but  the  weather 
was  excessively  hot.  Dysentery  and  other  summer  complaints 
prevailed  extensively.  The  regiment  remained  in  this  position 
until  the  last  of  September,  displaying  those  praise-worthy  quali 
ties  for  provost  duty,  which  had  characterized  them  efsSSwhere, 
and  winning  the  respect  of  all  loyal  citizens  and  their  kindest  at 
tentions. 


1 5o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


It  is  needless  to  say  that  under  these  circumstances  the  Eigh 
teenth  enjoyed  comparative  rest,  and  rapidly  regained  its  former 
health  and  vigor,  during  the  beautiful  weather  of  the  first  autum 
nal  month.  Mutual  acquaintances  and  attachments  were  formed, 
which  afterwards  were  renewed  with  the  greatest  pleasure  and 
cordiality.  The  Eighteenth  will  never  forget  the  kindness  of  the 
loyal  citizens  of  Hagerstown. 

At  this  point  we  will  leave  Major  Peale  and  his  command  for 
the  present,  returning  to  Summit  Point  to  look  after  another 
squad  of  the  regiment.  While  one  part  of  the  command  was  on  its 
way  to  Richmond,  and  another  was  Hying  over  the  mountains  to 
the  west  and  north,  and  still  another  retreating  with  all  haste 
toward  Harper's  Ferry,  "there  was  also,  another  portion  of  the  regi 
ment  left  on  the  field,  wounded,  dying  or  dead,  together  with  those 
who  remained  to  care  for  them.  The  noble  dead  of  Winchester 
and  Summit  Point,  belonging  to  the  Eighteenth,  and  its  pride 
and  glory,  must  not  be  forgotten. 

Honorable  mention  should  be  made  of  each  and  all  who  so 
bravely  withstood  the  terrible  shock  of  battle  and  suffered  so 
heroically  the  pains  and  horrors  which  followed.  Comrades  and 
relatives,  of  these  martyrs  and  sufferers  for  their  country's  flag, 
should  see  to  it  that  full  justice  is  done  to  the  memory  of  their 
noble  deeds,  and  every  man  receive  his  due  reward  of  merit,  or 
meed  of  praise.  This  record  is  more  especially  for  those  of  com 
ing  generations.  In  future  time  the  history  of  the  great  rebellion 
will  be  read  more  eagerly  than  now.  The  grand  children  of  those 
men  who  held  back  that  murderous  horde  of  rebels  for  three  long 
days,  who  fell  wounded  or  dead  to  save  the  North  from  annihila 
tion,  will  be  anxious  to  read  the  record  of  their  fathers'  heroic 
devotion  and  firmness,  and  will  feel  a  just  pride  in  rehearsing  to 
their  children  the  noble  deeds  which  saved  the  flag  of  their 
country  from  disgrace  and  ruin.  Every  name  of  the  heroic 
wounded  and  dead,  of  the  war,  should  be  written  in  letters  of 
gold,  and  record  made  of  their  self-denying  acts,  and  deeds  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  151 


daring,  in  characters  that  shall  be  as  enduring  as  time.  Let 
one  generation  declare  to  another  the  names  of  the  distinguished 
patriots  in  the  war  for  the  Union,  until  the  latest  generation. 

Are  the  names  of  Lyon,  Sedgvvick  and  Mansfield  immortal? 
So  should  be  the  names  of  the  humblest  heroes  of  the  war,  the 
noble  dead,  and  scarred  veterans  of  every  rank. 

It  was  a  little  remarkable  that  so  few  of  the  non-commissioned 
officers  were  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Winchester  and  Summit 
Point.  One  sergeant,  Orderly  William  Caruthers,  Company  H, 
and  three  corporals,  Samuel  I).  Worden,  Company  A,  George 
W.  Blake,  Company  F  any  Edxvin  S.  Tabor,  Company  G,  com 
prised  the  whole  member.  Orderly  Caruthers  was  badly  wounded 
in  the  bowels,  on  Sunday  afternoon,  June  i4th,  the  ball  passing 
entirely  through  him.  He  was  removed  to  the  rear  by  Corporals 
Thomas  Jordan,  John  E.  Barrows  and  Patrick  J.  Heverin,  placed 
in  an  ambulance,  and  carried  to  a  house  two  miles  on  the  Martins- 
burg  pike,  and  there  left  in  the  care  of  I  leverin.  His  wound  was 
dressed  by  the  surgeon  of  the  Fifth  Maryland,  who  pronounced 
it  mortal,  and  ordered  the  grave  marked,  so  his  friends  might  in 
due  time  recover  his  body.  But  the  plucky  sergeant,  though  re 
duced  very  low.  had  no  idea  of  surrendering  thus. 

It  is  remarkable  that  all  but  one  of  the  dead  were  killed  in 
the  last  day's  fight  at  Summit  Point,  and  most  of  those  in  the 
third  and  last  charge,  made  on  that  fatal  morning,  June  i5th. 
No  wonder  Gen.  Milroy  gave  the  order  for  that  charge  with 
tremulous  voice.  He  had  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  fear 
less  act  would  be  followed  with  terrible  results  to  the  Eighteenth 
Connecticut.  And  so  it  was;  and  yet  it  was  to  the  regiment  the 
path  to  glory,  by  it  tftey  signified  their  entire  devotedness  to 
the  country,  and  their  obedience  to  the  orders  of  their  superiors. 
There  was  one  officer  especially,  of  the  line,  who  has  not  been 
out-done  in  heroic  valor  and  daring.  First  among  the  foremost, 
he  pressed  on  in  the  terrific  charge  that  resulted  in  silencing  a 
whole  battery  of  the  enemy,  killing  or  wounding  every  man  at 


152  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

the  guns,  and,  for  the  time,  spreading  fear  and  consternation 
among  the  enemy.  That  officer  was  Capt.  Edward  L.  Porter, 
Company  F,  who  fell  with  his  face  to  the  foe,  his  forehead 
pierced  by  a  rebel  bullet.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Dr.  Isaac  G. 
Porter,  New  London,  Ct.,  and  entered  the  service  of  his  country 
from  a  sincere  conviction  of  duty.  Virtuous,  amiable  and  intel 
ligent,  in  every  way  qualified  for  a  high  position  in  civil  life,  yet 
when  his  country  called  for  his  services  in  the  capacity  of  a  sold 
ier,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  obey  that  call.  Just  before  leaving 
Baltimore  for  Winchester,  he  bought  a  watch,  and  after  his  death 
it  was  returned  to  his  surviving  parents,  and  in  it  was  found  writ 
ten  these  words  in  Greek:  "  For  the  night  cometh."  This 
sentence  was  characteristic  of  his  general  thoughtfulness,  and  as 
the  event  showed,  seemed  not  a  little  prophetic.  Porter  was  a 
general  favorite  in  the  regiment,  and  hence  his  death  occasioned 
deep  sorrow  among  all  his  surviving  comrades.  Lieut.  Rock 
well,  under  date  of  June  3Oth,  1863,  wrote  as  follows:  ''Captain 
Porter  fell  in  our  last  charge,  mortally  wounded  by  a  bullet 
in  the  head.  He  was  universally  loved  and  respected  by  the 
regiment.  He  did  his  whole  duty  as  a  brave  and  true  soldier, 
and  died  honorably,  charging  with  his  men  to  the  front."  An 
other  who  knew  him  well  writes:  "Captain  Porter  was  a  graduate 
of  Yale,  a  fine  scholar,  and  had  entered  the  profession  of  law 
with  excellent  prospects."  The  following  tribute  is  from  the  pen 
of  his  surgeon,  Dr.  L.  Holbrook,  in  a  communication  to  the  af 
flicted  parents: 

"With  your  honored  son,  Capt.  Porter  of  the  Eighteenth  Con 
necticut  Volunteers,  I  had  formed  a  pleasant  acquaintance, 
though  of  short  duration,  and  I  remember  him  as  one  of  the 

o 

noblest  of  the  company  of  martyrs,  who,  on  that  memorable 
morning,  offered  up  their  lives  on  the  altar  of  constitutional  lib 
erty,  At  my  suggestion  he  went  to  the  post  hospital  at  Win 
chester,  two  or  three  clays  before  our  evacuation  of  the  place, 
being  sick  with  what  I  feared  might  prove  typhoid  fever.  I  vis- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  153 


ited  him  the  day  before  the  battle,  and  found  him  very  weak,  and 
hence  was  very  much  surprised  to  find  him  at  the  head  of  his 
company,  but  a  sense  of  duty  and  a  strong  desire  to  be  in  his 
place,  in  time  of  action,  caused  him  to  forget  his  physical  suffer 
ings.  One  of  the  officers  of  the  regiment  informed  me  that  he 
seemed  possessed  of  superhuman  strength  and  energy  in  the 
battle,  and  gallantly  led  his  men  in  the  charge,  against  the  ene 
my,  when  he  was  struck  by  a  rifle  bullet  in  the  head  and  died 
almost  immediately.  Captain  Porter  left  a  bright  record  of  hon 
orable  manliness,  was  dignified  and  gentlemanly  in  manner, 
always  prompt  in  the  conscientious  discharge  of  duty,  and  with 
his  whole  soul  he  espoused  the  cause  of  his  country,  and  died  in 
the  fore-front  of  battle,  attesting  by  his  death  the  sincerity  of  his 
patriotism,  and  sealing  with  his  blood  his  love  of  liberty,  strug 
gling  against  armed  treason.  His  memory  will  long  be  cherished 
in  the  hearts  of  his  companions  in  arms,  and  I  trust  his  grave 
will  long  remain  honored  by  his  countrymen,  as  that  of  one  of 
the  noblest  in  the  long  list  of  our  country's  martyrs." 

These  are  just  and  beautiful  tributes  to  the  memory  of  Capt. 
Porter,  and  others  would  cheerfully  add  theirs  to  swell  his  fame, 
if  it  were  necessary.  We  do  not  wonder  that  his  record  was  so 
bright  and  glorious,  for  he  was  the  son  of  a  mother  who  said, 
"Edward  is  my  only  son,  and  well  beloved,  but  if  I  had  six  sons 
like  him  I  would  give  them  all  to  the  service  of  my  country." 

Such  were  our  country's  soldiers.  They  counted  not  their 
lives  dear  unto  themselves,  but  fearlessly  braved  the  storm  of 
death,  and  fell  with  face  to  the  foe.  Tf  a  faithful  history  of 
these  patriots  could  be  written,  a  large  volume  would  hardly  con 
tain  the  record.  Special  refererence  ought  to  be  made  of  each 
man  who  fell  in  those  terrible  charges  that  were  instrumental  in 
checking  the  advance  of  the  foe  for  three  days,  and  thereby  en 
suring  the  Union  army  the  victory  at  Gettysburg.  The  men 
who  died  at  Winchester  and  Summit  Point  fell  in  one  of  the 
grandest  and  most  important  fights  for  the  Union.  They  were 


154  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


gloriously  victorious  in  their  death.  Had  they  not  stood  fast 
and  fallen  at  their  post,  the  enemy  would  have  had  comparative 
ly  an  easy  task  to  have  reached  Gettysburg  three  days  sooner, 
and  who  could  have  computed  the  results  to  Harrisburg,  Phila 
delphia  and  Baltimore?  It  would  have  been  a  miracle  if 
Washington  itself  had  not  been  captured.  The  men  who  fought 
and  died,  during  those  three  days,  died  not  in  vain,  and  each  man 
seemed  to  understand  the  situation,  the  momentous  interests 
involved,  and  shrank  not  from  the  exigency.  The  Eighteenth 
Connecticut  need  not  fear  that  they  wrought  nothing  for  the 
Union  because  they  were  defeated  and  mainly  captured  in  those 
memorable  battles.  They  were  overpowered,  it  is  true,  but  not 
dispirited.  They  were  captured,  or  dispersed,  but  unyielding 
and  defiant  in  spirit  and  purpose,  determined  to  fall  into  line 
again  at  the  first  opportunity.  The  memory  of  such  men  is 
blessed,  they  shall  be  held  in  everlasting  remembrance,  their 
heroic  deeds  are  immortal.  Their  death  is  inspiring,  ennobling, 
and  encouraging  to  those  who  shall  come  after  them. 

''Historic  band  of  heroes, 
Whose  glories  ne'er  can  fade, 
While  lives  a  bard  to  chronicle 
The  record  they  have  made." 

Monday,  Caruthers,  who  was  supposed  to  be  mortally  wound 
ed,  had  rallied  and  his  prospects  seemed  good  for  recovery.  The 
first  intimation  he  had  of  the  capture  of  his  regiment  was  received 
from  Harry  Gilmore — a  guerilla — and  Gen.  Stuart,  who  took 
breakfast  at  the  same  house  with  Caruthers.  Gilmore,  at  one  time, 
was  a  prisoner  at  Baltimore,  and  was  acquainted  with  him,  and 
hence  was  disposed  to  show  him  favor.  He  sent  an  ambulance 
at  three  in  the  afternoon  which  conveyed  Caruthers  to  Taylor's 
hotel  at  Winchester.  Here  he  found  Geo.  Ward  and  Hospital 
Steward  Ripley,  with  several  others  of  his  regiment.  It  was  for 
tunate  for  him  that  Surgeon  Holbrook  and  Ripley  were  there,  and 
permitted  to  serve  the  wounded  in  the  hospital,  both  being  spoken 
of  as  especially  serviceable  to  their  wounded  comrades. 


Cast.    JOHN  E.  WOODWARD. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  155 


It  should  be  mentioned  that  a  few  of  the  citizens  vied  with 
each  other  in  kind  attentions,  among  them  being  the  two  Misses 
Sharps  and  others  who  came  and  ministered  to  the  Union  sol 
diers  in  their  unfortunate  condition.  On  the  fourth  of  July,  Rip- 
ley  obtained  leave  to  return  to  Summit  Point  to  designate  the 
grave  of  Captain  Porter  and  those  of  two  members  of  Company 
A,  from  Greeneville,  but  most  of  the  time  the  Union  prisoners 
were  watched  very  closely,  and  allowed  but  few  privileges.  If  any 
extras  were  enjoyed,  they  were  obtained  through  strategy  on  the 
part  of  surgeons  or  Union  attendants.  Many  will  doubtless  re 
member  the  secret  passage  in  the  hotel,  through  which  not  a  few 
comforts  were  obtained,  without  exciting  the  suspicion  of  the 
rebel  authorities,  but  deliverance  came  at  last.  All  the  officers 
of  the  Eighteenth,  as  before  stated,  had  been  sent  to  Richmond 
on  the  third  of  August.  Three  days  after  the  last  squad  had  been 
sent  off,  Maj.  Gibson  of  the  Third  Virginia  Cavalry,  (Union), 
made  a  dash  into  Winchester  and  charged  through  the  town.  In 
the  confusion,  Lieut.  Caruthers,  who  had  partially  recovered  from 
his  wound,  and  Ripley  made  their  escape,  by  getting  into  Gibson's 
ambulances  which  had  been  provided  for  the  purpose  of  rescuing 
wounded  prisoners.  They  had  barely  time,  however,  to  get  away, 
for  as  soon  as  the  Union  Cavalry  had  driven  the  rebel  guard 
through  the  place,  they,  in  turn,  were  attacked  by  rebel  forces, 
stationed  at  different  points  outside,  and  driven  back  in  great 
haste.  But  the  ambulance  train  kept  in  advance  of  the  Union 
force,  and  the  rescued  prisoners  were  thus  saved.  They  reached 
Harper's  Ferry  the  same  day,  though  hotly  pursued  by  the  rebels. 
Lieut.  Caruthers,  however,  was  put  in  great  danger  of  his  life  by 
this  sudden  and  hasty  movement.  His  wound  bled  freely  again, 
and  he  was  nearly  senseless  from  the  loss  of  blood.  Ripley  gave 
him  every  attention,  and  but  for  his  timely  and  kind  attentions, 
Caruthers  would  probably  have  lost  his  life.  After  two  days  at 
Harper's  Ferry  he  was  able  to  go  to  Baltimore,  thence  he  returned 
home  on  a  furlough,  where  he  remained  about  forty  days.  Hav- 


156  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


ing  nearly  recovered,  he  returned  to  his  regiment,  joining  Col. 
Peale  at  Yvashington  depot,  Baltimore,  in  charge  of  the  paroled 
portion  of  the  regiment,  on  its  way  from  Annapolis  to  Martins- 
burg. 

Corporal  S.  D.  Worden,  Company  A,  was  among  the  paroled 
wounded,  but  was  sent  to  Richmond,  and  from  there  to  Annapo 
lis.  His  wound  was  not  serious,  being  on  the  ear,  but  the 
inhuman  treatment  of  his  captors  at  Belle  Island  ruined  a  natur 
ally  strong  constitution,  and  there  were  planted  the  seeds  of  a 
disease  which  finally  resulted  in  his  death.  After  his  parole  he 
became  an  inmate  of  the  New  Haven  hospital,  where  he  re 
mained  until  March  8th,  1864,  when  he  received  an  honorable 
discharge  and  returned  to  the  home  of  his  brother,  in  Wind- 
ham  county.  Soon  after,  he  received  a  final  discharge  from 
the  Great  Commander,  when  he  was  in  the  thirty-second 
year  of  his  age.  VVorden  was  a  worthy  man,  liberally  educated, 
being  a  graduate  of  the  Meadville,  Pa.,  Unitarian  Theological 
School, and  had  occasionally  occupied  the  pulpit  of  that  denomi 
nation  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  and  other  places.  He  left  Lowell  for 
Greeneville,  Ct.,  but  after  his  arrival  at  that  place,  heard  the  call 
of  patriotism,  and  enlisted  in  the  company  then  forming  in  that 
village.  Worden  will  ever  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by 
his  comrades  in  arms,  who  esteemed  him  highly  for  his  noble 
qualities  of  mind  and  heart. 

Privates  John  Crawford  and  I  slay  B.  Martin,  Company  A, 
died  of  wounds,  at  Winchester,  July  2cl.  Their  bodies  were 
after  a  time  returned  to  their  parents  in  Greeneville,  and  buried 
with  imposing  funeral  rites  from  the  Congregational  chnrch,  a 
large  audience  attending.  Nelson  C.  Thompson,  of  the  same 
company,  died  June  3Oth,  in  Avon  in  Hartford  county.  Of  the 
others,  who  received  honorable  scars  in  the  memorable  fight  at 
Winchester,  almost  the  entire  number  finally  recovered; 

The  officers  captured,  not  wounded,  were  as  follows:— Col. 
William  G.  Ely,  Lieut.  Col.  Monroe  Nichols,  Surgeon  Lowell 
Holbrook,  Quartermaster  Dwight  W.  Hakes. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  157 


Capts.  Henry  C.  Davis,  George  W.  Warner,  Ezra  J.  Mathew- 
son. 

First  Lieuts.  A.  H.  Lindsay,  Andrew  W.  Loomis,  John  T. 
McGinnis,  John  E.  Woodard,  I.  N.  Kibbie,  George  Kies. 

Second  Lieuts.  James  D.  Higgins,  E.,  I).  Carpenter,  Henry  F. 
Cowles,  Frank  McKeag,  Joseph  P.  Rockwell,  John  Francis, 
William  H.  Locke,  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  Ashael  G.  Scranton,  twen 
ty-two,  in  all. 

The  last  of  these  arrived  at  Libby,  August  5th,  viz.  Holbrook, 
Bowen  and  Merwin,  and  like  their  predecessors  they  were  sub 
jected  to  all  sorts  of  rebel  indignities,  strict  search  was  made, 
money,  rubber  blankets,  haversacks,  officers'  sashes  and  every 
thing  of  value  that  could  be  discovered  was  taken,  and  they 
were  left  entirely  to  the  tender  mercies  of  their  captors. 

The  officers  wounded  and  captured  numbered  four,  viz.: 
Capts.  Thomas  K.  Bates,  Company  B;  George  W.  Warner, 
Company  G;  Charles  D.  Bowen,  Company  H;  and  Lieut. 
Merwin,  Company  C.  From  the  commencement  of  the  fight 
until  the  close,  there  was  great  confusion  and  excitement,  but 
amid  it  all,  preparations  were  made  for  the  best  attention  possi 
ble  for  the  wounded,  by  the  Union  surgeons,  who  resolved  to 
remain  with  their  regiments.  The  surgeon  of  the  Eighteenth, 
Lowell  Holbrook,  took  possession  of  the  nearest  house  and  es 
tablished  a  field  hospital.  The  usual  signal  was  raised  by  hang 
ing  a  small  flag  out  of  the  upper  window,  but  for  a  time  the 
rebels  did  not  see  it,  or  did  not  care  to  see  it,  and  continued  to 
shell  the  house,  to  the  great  danger  of  the  wounded  who  had 
been  conveyed  there,  or  who  had  sought  shelter  in  the  rear  of 
the  building.  Ninety-three  men  in  all  were  received  at  this 
place,  thirty-five  of  whom  were  members  of  the  Eighteenth. 
The  hospital  steward,  J.  D.  Ripley,  who  had  been  partially  dis 
abled  by  a  shock,  the  result  of  concussion  produced  by  the 
explosion  of  a  shell,  had  the  surgeon's  case  of  instruments  taken 
from  him  by  the  rebels,  and  this  greatly  embarrassed  and  hindered 


i58  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


the  work  of  giving  proper  attention  to  the  wounded.  Other 
regiments  fared  no  better  in  this  respect;  the  hospital  stores 
generally  sharing  the  same  fate.  Dr.  Holbrook  had  no  surgical 
instruments  except  such  as  he  happened  to  have  in  his  haver 
sack. 

The  surgeons  were  thus  deprived  of  the  necessary  means  of 
properly  dressing  wounds  of  an  ordinary  character,  and  what 
was  of  still  greater  importance,  deprived  of  the  means  of  render 
ing  timely  aid  to  several,  in  whose  cases  immediate  amputation 
of  limbs  was  necessary  to  ensure  preservation  of  life.  Among 
others,  Capt.  Bates  was  badly  wounded  in  the  arm,  though  at 
the  time  he  did  not  think  his"  injury  very  serious,  it  was  at  length 
decided  that  amputatidn  would  be  necessary.  As  soon  as  it 
could  be  effected  the  wounded  men  were  conveyed  to  Winchester, 
and  Dr.  Holbrook,  who  had  received  an  order  from  Gen.  Early 
soon  after  the  surrender,  to  remain  in  charge  of  the  field  hospital, 
which  he  had  established  in  the  morning,  made  a  request  that  am 
bulances  should  be  sent  for  this  purpose,  but  only  one  ambulance 
was  forwarded  the  first  evening.  A  similar  request  of  Gen.  John 
son,  the  next  day,  resulted  in  the  acquisition  of  a  few  more.  It 
was  not  until  Wednesday  afternoon,  the  third  day  after  the  battle, 
that  all  the  wounded  of  Summit  Point  arrived  in  Winchester. 
Capt.  Bates  was  under  the  immediate  care  of  Surgeon  Holbrook, 
who  thought  the  captain's  arm  might  be  saved.  The  rebel  sur 
geons  insisted  upon  amputation,  but  at  length  gave  away,  on  ac 
count  of  the  earnest  pleadings  of  the  captain,  that  it  should  not 
be  done.  It  required,  however,  great  care  and  skill  on  the  part 
of  Dr.  Holbrook  to  save  the  arm,  and  Capt.  Bates  declared  that 
he  owed  his  lif<-  to  the  faithful  attention  of  his  surgeon.  But  he 
was  reduced  very  low  by  his  wound,  which  was  exceedingly 
troublesome.  He  was  now  at  Taylor's  hotel,  which  was  used  for 
hospital  purposes.  Dr.  Holbrook  made  arrangements  with  parties 
to  bring,  as  often  as  possible,  a  few  necessary  comforts  for  the 
wounded,  and  in  this  way  the  wants  of  the  wounded,  were  in  part 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  159 


supplied.  About  the  last  of  July  Capt.  Bates  made  his  escape 
by  strategy.  Frequent  proposition  had  been  made,  and  times  set 
to  send  him  to  Richmond,  but  he  had  pleaded  so  earnestly,  say 
ing  that  he  would  rather  be  shot  than  sent  to  Richmond,  that  the 
time  for  his  departure  had  been  deferred. 

It  became  evident,  however,  that  his  removal  would  not  be  de 
ferred  much  longer,  and  Bates  determined  to  make  his  escape.  A 
party  of  rebels  having  been  ordered  out  toward  the  Union  line, 
for  observation,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  Capt.  Bates,  by  a  change 
of  suit,  managed  to  join  them,  in  the  garb  of  a  rebel  private. 
Proceeding  toward  Harper's  Ferry,  this  squad  of  observers  very 
unexpectedly  fell  in  with  Union  Cavalry  that  took  them  as  pris 
oners  into  the  Union  lines,  and  thus  Capt.  Bates  obtained  his  lib 
erty.  From  Harper's  Ferry,  he  was  sent  to  Baltimore,  from 
whence  he  returned  home  on  a  furlough.  Continuing  to  suf 
fer  from  his  wound,  and  his  prospect  not  being  very  flattering  for 
recovering  the  use  of  his  arm  very  soon,  if  ever,  he  was,  by  his 
own  request,  honorably  discharged  for  disability  on  the  i  7th  of 
November  following.  Capt.  Bates  was  an  excellent  officer,  and 
one  of  the  best  disciplinarians  and  tacticians  in  the  regiment,  and 
his  loss  to  the  regiment  was  universally  regretted. 

Capt.  Bowen  having  received  a  dangerous  wound  in  the  right 
lung,  had  been  left  on  the  field  for  dead.  At  length  reviving,  he 
was  taken  to  the  hospital,  but  for  several  days,  it  was  the  opinion 
of  the  surgeon  that  he  could  not  recover.  He  remained  at 
Winchester  about  four  weeks,  and  was  then  so  far  recovered,  that 
he  was  sent  to  Richmond,  in  company  with  Lieut.  Merwin, 
who  had  a  wound  in  the  foot.  Capt.  Bowen  and  Lieut.  Mer 
win  were  put  into  an  old  rickety  army  wagon,  with  nineteen 
others,  and  sent  to  Staunton,  where  they  were  detained  three 
weeks,  suffering  greatly  from  their  wounds,  and  the  want  of 
proper  food  and  care,  having  no  shelter,  or  medical  care  of  any 
kind,  and  but  for  the  aid  of  a  rebel  sergeant  they  must  have  died 
on  the  way.  He  marched  all  day,  and  then  sometimes  went  two 


160  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


or  three  miles  to  get  rations  cooked  for  the  wounded.  His  kind 
ness  was  highly  appreciated.  At  Staunton  they  were  surrounded 
with  a  guard,  their  money  was  taken  from  them,  and  they  suf 
fered  othdr cruel  annoyances.  The  officer  in  command,  excused 
his  conduct*  saying  that  it  was  the  most  disagreeable  duty  he 
ever  had  to  perform,  and  throwing  the  responsibility  upon  higher 
rebel  authorities.  Surgeon  Holbrook  marched  as  far  as  New 
Market,  and  then,  in  company  with  six  others,  rode  to  Staunton 
in  a  two  horse  coach,  for  which  each  paid  twenty  dollars  in  Con 
federate  money.  On  reaching  Staunton,  they  were  marched  to 
the  top  of  a  hill,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  place,  and  within  the  limits 
of  twenty  rods  square,  on  a  barren  mountain  peak,  closely  guard 
ed,  were  left  to  shift  for  themselves.  Nothing  in  the  shape  of 
a  covering,  from  the  scorching  rays  ot  an  August  sun,  was. 
provided,  and  there  was  no  protection  from  storm,  or  the  dews  ot 
night.  A  protest  was  met  by  the  declaration  that  ''surgeons  were 
held  as  prisoners  of  war,  to  be  treated  like  officers  of  other  rank." 
A  temporary  shelter  was  made  by  the  use  of  rubber  blankets, 
fastened  together  and  thrown  over  a  frame  work  of  rails,  under 
which  the  two  men  were  made  more  comfortable,  but  they  still 
suffered  much,  especially  for  want  of  proper  food.  After  a  few 
days  the  surgeons  were  sent  on  to  Richmond  and  Libby.  A  day 
and  a  night  were  spent  on  a  platform  car,  or  freight  box,  huddled 
together  so  closely,  that  there  was  no  room  to  lie  down  without 
lying  upon  each  other.  It  was  a  very  tedious  journey.  The  men 
would  have  nearly  suffocated  in  the  closely  packed  car,  if  they 
had  not  kicked  out  about  one  third  of  its  side.  The  opening 
let  in  fresh  air,  and  thus  the  ride  to  Richmond  was  rendered  tol 
erable. 

The  Libby  so  famous  in  the  history  of  the  war  has  been  so 
many  times  described  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  much  about  it 
here,  and  it  will  be  sufficient  to  give  only  a  brief  description.  Two 
hundred  feet  long,  and  forty  wide,  three  stories  high,  writh  a  par 
tition  cross-wise  in  the  middle,  making  six  rooms  100  by  40  feet. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  161 


CHAPTER  VII 


THE    OFFICERS    AT    LIBBY 


There  was  a  cellar  below  paved  with  cobble  stones,  adjoining 
Libby  but  separated  from  it  by  a  wall,  which  cellar  was  said  to 
have  been  mined  for  the  purpose  of  blowing  up  Libby  with  its 
inmates,  in  case  the  city  should  be  taken  by  the  Yankees.  As 
cending  from  the  ground  floor  is  found  a  long  oblong  room,  with 
two  rows  of  stout  wooden  posts  to  support  the  ceiling.  The  win 
dows  were  iron-grated,  those  of  the  front  looking  out  upon  the 
street,  and  those  of  the  rear  commanding  a  view  of  the  canal  close 
by,  and  the  river  just  beyond  it,  and  the  opposite  shore.  Above  this 
was  an  immense  garret,  embracing  the  entire  area  of  the  floor. 
This  is  the  famous  Libby  prison,  converted  into  a  den  of  misery, 
starvation  and  death.  At  the  time  the  officers  of  the  Eighteenth 
were  incarcerated  here,  there  was  present  in  all,  about  one  thou 
sand  officers  of  all  ranks  and  of  every  department  of  the  service. 
There  were  representatives  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  from 
Maine  to  Minnesota,  and  from  Michigan  to  Tennessee,  and  they 
were  as  diverse  in  their  nationality  as  in  their  place  of  residence. 
Yankees,  Germans,  French,  Spanish  and  Irish  were  mixed  up  in 
discriminately,  and  were  not  a  little  incommoded  by  this  close 
proximity  of  discordant  elements.  But  they  were  not  long  in 
choosing  their  intimate  associates,  and  every  one  found  his  ap 
propriate  sphere  of  social  intercourse  and  action.  Here  was  found 
the  erudite  scholar,  the  cultivated  gentleman,  and  genuine  chris- 

91 


1 62  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


tian,  and  their  opposite,  and  although  shut  out  from  the  world, 
the  inmates  of  Libby  were  subject  to  almost  every  variety  of  in 
fluence,  and  hence,  those  not  doomed  to  intellectual  torpor, 
or  moral  degeneration,  cultivated  a  literary  taste  by  the 
study  of  languages.  French,  Spanish,  Latin,  Greek,  English, 
history,  and  science  here  found  her  admirers  and  votaries.  A 
literary  society  existed,  in  which  questions  of  national  policy, 
morality,  civilization  and  Christianity  were  ably  discussed.  A 
paper  called  the  "Libby  Chronicle,"  devoted  to  facts  and  fun, 
was  edited  with  marked  ability,  in  which  articles  appeared  that 
might  vie  in  merit  with  those  of  the  best  periodicals  of  the  day, 
both  in  prose  and  in  verse. 

On  the  whole  the  officers  of  the  Eighteenth  had  very  good 
company  while  in  Libby,  as  among  their  number  were  nine 
clergymen,  chaplains  from  the  army,  men  of  talent  and  zeal. 
These  conducted  religious  meetings  on  the  Sabbath  and  held 
frequent  prayer  and  conference  meetings  during  the  week. 
Their  fare  at  first  was  none  of  the  best,  and  the  officers  did  not 
grow  fat  as  fast  as  they  would  have  done  had  beef-steak  been  a 
little  more  plenty. 

In  looking  back  upon  their  scanty  fare,  it  seems  almost  impos 
sible  that  the  men  could  have  stood  it  as  well  as  they  did.  It 
is  true  their  labors  were  quite  light,  not  having  much  occasion 
for. muscular  strength. 

One  day's  rations — One-fourth  of  a  pound  of  beef,  nine  ounces 
of  bread  of  variable  quality,  sometimes  wheat,  sometimes  a 
mixture  of  flour  and  corn-meal,  and  sometimes  of  coarse,  unsift 
ed  corn-meal  mixed  with  water  and  about  a  gill  of  rice,  was  a  full 
daily  ration,  and  to  men  who  had  been  full  fed  or  accustomed  to 
good  fare,  this  seemed  rather  hard.  After  the  battle  of  Gettys 
burg  there  was  a  marked  difference  in  rebel  treatment  of  these 
prisoners,  as  the  tables  were  turned;  Lee,  having  been  soundly 
whipped,  was  in  full  retreat  for  Richmond,  and  many  rebels  had 
been  captured  by  the  Union  army,  The  number  of  prisoners 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  163 


greatly  preponderated  in  favor  of  the  North,  and  the  opportunity 
to  retaliate  was  now  given  to  "Lincoln's  Government,"  hence 
the  authorities  at  Richmond  began  to  be  more  lenient,  and  bv 
'simple  force  of  circumstances,  there  was  a  great  change  for  the 
better.  The  buildings  were  thoroughly  cleansed,  white-washed 
from  ceiling  to  floor,  water  from  the  James  river  introduced  into 
all  the  rooms,  and  the  officers  were  allowed  the  privilege  of  send 
ing  to  the  market  by  the  prison  officials  for  fruits  and  vegetables, 
while  the  rations  issued  to  them  in  a  raw  state  they  were  permit 
ted  to  cook  for  themselves.  Here  was  a  fine  chance  for  the 
display  of  Yankee  ingenuity  to  make  the  best  use  of  their  means 
for  health  and  comfort.  F*or  a  while  they  were  permitted  to  re 
ceive  boxes  of  food  and  clothing  from  home,  and  no  one  can 
realize  the  delight  ot  these  men  in  the  reception  of  the  kind  re 
membrances  of  the  loved  ones  at  home,  but  those  who  have  been 
placed  under  similar  circumstances.  In  this  way,  gold  and  even 
greenbacks  were  smuggled  into  Libby  and  the  prisoners  received 
pocket  money  to  buy  comforts,  without  which  they  must  have 
suffered  great  inconveniences  and  actual  hunger.  A  ball  of  but 
ter,  or  a  loaf  of  cake  would  contain  the  golden  coin,  and  a 
very  pleasant  sensation  would  be  produced  by  these  happy 
revelations. 

The  following  is  from  the  "Connecticut  Record  during  the 
Rebellion." 

This  monotonous  life  was  occasionally  varied  by  a  distinguish 
ed  arrival.  Col.  Straight,  then  famous,  enlivened  the  prison  by 
his  able  and  fearless  debates  on  the  slavery  question  with  any 
rebel  who  came  within  reach.  Gen.  Neal  Dow  arrived  from 
Mobile,  where  he  had  been  a  prisoner  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
considerable,  degree  of  freedom  and  intercourse  with  the  citizens, 
and  he  repeatedly  addressed  the  officers,  informing  them  of  the 
inner  life  of  the  Confederacy  and  its  waning  hopes  and  prospects. 
These  speeches  were  frequently  interrupted  by  the  sudden  ap 
pearance  of  the  rebel  sentinel,  when  the  speaker  would  continue, 


1 64  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMEN 


unterrified,  "As  I  was  saying,  this  indulgence  in  alcoholic  stimu 
lants  is  ruinous  to  the  mental,  moral  and  social  character  of  men," 
&c.  Officers  came  in  from  all  the  armies  constantly,  and  the  oc 
cupants  of  Libby  were  probably  better  informed  in  regard  to  the 
condition  of  the  Rebellion  than  were  their  friends  at  home.  By 
a  constant  interchange  of  news  and  sentiments,  they  were  kept 
in  cheerful  spirits. 

In  February  of  1864,  Col.  Ely  escaped  from  Libby  with  one 
hundred  and  eight  other  officers,  through  the  famous  tunnel 
They  had  obtained  entrance,  through  a  hole  in  the  floor,  to  a-n 
unoccupied  basement;  and  thence  had  dug  directly  out  under 
Twentieth  street,  loosenkig  the  earth  with  an  old  hinge,  and  re 
moving  it  in  a  broken  sugar-scoop  taken  from  the  hospital.  The 
sand  was  then  drawn  out  in  a  carpet-bag,  and  secreted  about  the 
cellar.  They  were  at  work  upon  the  tunnel  for  fifty-five  days, 
when  the  pioneer,  Capt.  J.  N.  Johnson  of  the  Sixth  Kentucky 
Cavalry,  reached  daylight,  and  came  up  under  an  old  shed  across 
the  street.  That  night,  at  nine  o'clock,  the  first  man  left,  and 
at  five  the  next  morning  the  last  man  had  gone.  About  fifty 
were  finally  recaptured  by  the  cavalry,  who  scoured  tjie  State  in 
all  directions;  among  them  being  Col.  Ely,  in  a  state  of  great 
exhaustion.  He  was  taken  by  the  cavalry,  forty-two  miles  out, 
after  being  absent  four  days. 

In  March,  1864,  Col.  William  G.  Ely,  Lieut.  Col.  Monroe 
Nichols,  Capt.  G.  W.  Warner,  Lieuts.  I.  N.  Kibbe,  M.  V.  B. 
Tiffany,  J.  P.  Rockwell  and  John  A.  Francis  were  paroled  and 
returned  to  the  North,  their  exchange  following.  The  other 
officers  of  the  Eighteenth  were,  on  May  jth,  sent  to  Dan 
ville,  Va.,  and  after  a  few  days"  transferred  to  the  new  stock 
ade  prison  at  Macon.  In  December,  Lieut.  D.  Wr.  Hakes 
and  Capt  Charles  D.  Bo  wen,  with  Lieuts.  A.  H.  Lindsay, 
George  Kies  and  A.  G.  Scranton  were  paroled  and  went  North. 
In  February,  1865,  the  men  and  balance  of  the  officers  of  the 
Eighteenth  were  sent  to  Charlotte.  On  the  way,  Lieut.  Henr.y 


>ollc  stihui- 

14 

and  th 
^ard  to 
l 

ir 


caped  from  Libby  with 
:  h   the    famous  .tin 

gh  a  hole  in  the  iioor,  to  a-w 
had  dug  directly  out  under 
th  with  an  old  hinge,  and  re- 

ken  from  the  hospital.     The 


•pt 


tunnel  for  fifty-five  day 
the  Sixth  Ken-tuck 
ip  under  an  old  shed  acros 
ck,  the  first  man  left,  an 
n  bad  gone.  About  fift 
,  who  scoured  tjie  State  i 
>L  Ely,  in  a  state  of  grea 
avalry,  forty-two  miles, oil! 

Ely,  Lieut.  Col.  Monro 
s.  I.  N.  Kibbe,  M.  V.  i 
Francis  were  paroled  art 
nge  following.  The  othf 
>n  May  jth,  sent  to  Dati 
sferred  to  the  new  stocl 
ter,  Lieut.  D.  W.  Hak* 

Lieuts.  A.  H.  Lin 
e  paroled  and  went  N 
ince  of  the  office; 


1 66  EIGH  TEE  NTH  REGIMENT 


his  tin  cup,  intent  on  preparing  for  himself  some  extra  dish,  af 
forded  a  lively  and  amusing  scene.  Each  mess  of  twenty  five  6r 
thirty  enjoyed  its  privileges  of  the  mess  kettles  and  tables,  in  reg 
ular  order,  and  one  succeeds  another  in  the  greatest  rapidity 
practicable.  After  breakfast  follows  a  general  preambulation 
through  the  different  rooms,  all  of  which  communicate,  and  an  in 
terchange  of  mutual  greetings  and  discussion  of  the  news  of  the 
day.  Next  the  class  in  French,  or  Phonography,  or  German,  or 
Battalion  drill  is  announced,  and  the  students  betake  themselves 
to  the  room  and  corner  designated. 

"In  the  meantime  a  troupe  of  some  dozen  negroes  appear  with 
brooms  to  sweep  and  scrub  the  floors,  which  they  do  in  a  hurry, 
leaving  instead  of  the  dust  removed,  a  quantity  of  water  which 
will  be  evaporated  in  the  course  of  the  day.  Some  pass  the 
hours  in  writing,  reading,  or  in  games,  among  which  chess,  check 
ers  and  various  games  with  cards  are  included.  Among  the 
variety  of  pursuits  and  amusements,  music  claims  no  small  share 
of  attention,  and  groups  may  here  and  there  be  found,  intent 
upon  rendering  in  most  melodious  accents,  the  choicest  selections 
from  Handel,  Mozart,  and  other  masters  of  sacred  song.  In 
other  places,  proficients  upon  the  violin  discourse  Ethiopian  mel 
odies,  to  which  some  charmed  listeners  are  keeping  time,  giving 
lively  motion  to  their  pedal  extremities,  and  so  wears  away 
the  day,  till  at  length  the  sable  curtains  of  night  again  cast  their 
shadows  over  the  crowded  rooms. 

"  At  early  candle  lighting,  evening  services  are  announced  for 
some  particular  room,  when  all,  who  are  religiously  inclined,  re 
pair  thither  to  engage  in  the  exercises  of  the  meeting.  But 
among  such  a  company,  perhaps  less  than  one-fourth  move  in 
that  direction.  Others  are  gathered  in  groups  around  the  rooms, 
busy  with  games,  and  thus  pass  away  the  time. 

44  Among  soldiers,  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  smoking  is 
almost  universal,  and  a  person  of  sensitive  olfactories,  who  dis 
likes  tobacco,  if  in  Libby,  must  be  a  martyr,  with  no  possibility 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  167 


of  escape.      He  must  eat  it  in   his  hash,   drink  it  in   his  coffee 
inhale  it  at  every  breath,  and  experience  no  relief,  till  lost  in  the 
unconscipusness  which  sleep  brings  to  his  offended  senses. 

"  But  some  of  the  most  ludicrous  incidents  in  Libby  life  occur 
after  all  its  inhabitants  have  arranged  themselves,  each  in  his 
chosen  spot,  upon  the  floor,  with  his  army  blanket  around  him. 
Then  commences  a  succession  of  conundrums,  questions  and  re 
plies,  technically  called  the  catechism.  This  embodied  a  general 
censorship  of  the  habits,  opinions  or  peculiarities  of  whatever 
kind,  of  any,  who  might  attract  special  attention.  And  among 
such  a  collection  of  persons  of  such  diversity  of  opinions,  and 
such  a  variety  of  habits,  enough  could  always  be  found  to  fur 
nish  means  for  an  hour  of  uproarious  hilarity.  Such  questions 
as  the  following  would  be  proposed: 

'Why  ought  the  best  of  English  poetry  to  emanate  from  this 
room  ?' 

'  Because  we  have  a  Spencer  and  a  Hums  here,  and  they  live 
in  a  garret — the  poet's  usual  abode.' 

'  Who  stole  M.osely,s  hash  ?' 

4  Carpenter.' 

'  Who  says  he  does  not  belong  to  the  Abolition  Army  ?' 

4  Glasboro.' 

1  Who  offered  to  enlist  in  the  rebel  army,  if  he  could  be  released 
from  prison  ?' 

'  Pierce.' 

'  Who  said  he  had  more  meat  than  he  could  eat  ?' 

'  Ketchum.' 

'Who  sold  his  boots  for  money,    to  buy  extra  mutton  chops?' 

•Ketchum.' 

'  How  does  Libby  differ  from  another  public  institution  in 
Philadelphia  ?' 

'  That  is  a  Northern  home  for  friendless  children — this  is  a 
friendless  home  for  Northern  children  &c.,  &c.' 

At  last  all  seem  satisfied,  and  sleep  and  silence,  except  the  sub- 


1 68  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


bass  of  heavy  snoring  from  many  up-turned  noses,  reigns  supreme 
till  the  dawn  of  another  day.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  live 
Yankees,  even  when  prisoners  in  Rebeldom,  and  subject  to  all  the 
discomforts  which  semi-barbarism  can  impose,  will  be  Yankees 
still,  and  find  amusement  in  the  exercise  of  the  mental  vivacity 
peculiar  to  the  race.  But  in  the  day  time,  the  numerous  speci 
mens  of  mechanical  skill,  wrought  from  the  bones  of  the  thin, 
blue  beef,  which  supplied  us  food,  were  truly  worthy  of  admira 
tion.  Here  were  manufactured  finger  rings  of  exquisite  work 
manship;  crosses  inlaid  with  hard  rubber,  cut  from  the  back  of  a 
pocket  comb,  napkin  rings,  wrought  with  the  most  elaborate 
designs,  miniature  toilet  tables,  &c.,  in  great  profusion. 

But  in  all  this  activity  and  bustle,  when  all  seemed  cheerful, 
if  not  contented,  there  was  none,  whose  thoughts  did  not  often 
revert  to  the  scenes  and  affections  of  home;  and  none  failed  to 
enquire  daily  for  the  news  in  relation  to  exchange.  Many  were 
the  rumors  that  daily  went  the  rounds,  to  elate  or  depress  the 
poor  prisoner,  who,  whatever  else  he  might  do,  or  think,  ceases 
not  to  long  for  the  happy  hour  which  shall  place  him  again  under 
the  folds  of  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner,"  and  return  him  once 
more  to  the  society  of  loved  ones  at  home.  Examples  of  these 
ever  recurring,  hope  inspiring  and  depressing  agents,  were  the 
following: 

'Commissioners  of  Exchange  met  yesterday,  and  effected  a 
cartel  ! — All  to  be  exchanged  immediately !' 

'Then  in  the  same  hour,  purporting  to  come  from  some  of- 
fical- 

'  Commissioners  could  not  agree  ! — No  exchange  probable  for 
months  to  come  !' 

'  Another  would  affirm— 

'  All  to  be  exchanged  except   the  surgeons  !' 

'Then- 

'  The  surgeons  will  go  in  the  next  boat !' 

'  The  negro  question  prevents  all  exchange  !' 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  169 

'  Then — 

'  The  negro  question  has  never  been  an  issue  !' 

'  One  comes  directly  from  the  commandant  of  the  prison  and 
informs  us— - 

'That  we  shall  be  here  only  a  short  time  longer  !' 

'  Another  says— 

'It  has  been  advised  from  the  same  authority,  that  we  had 
better  prepare  for  winter  quarters,  and  send  home  for  cloth 
ing  and  provisions  !' 

But  this  will  suffice  fora  sample  of  prison-life  in  Libby,  as  re 
cording  the  varying  hopes  of  alternate  lights  and  shades,  con 
flicting  hopes  and  fears. 

To  one  who  has  endured  it  for  four  months,  never  for  a  mo 
ment  walking  abroad  into  the  outer  world,  and  never  breathing  for 
once  the  pure  air  of  heaven,  and  finally  has  passed  once  more 
to  the  comforts  and  enjoyments  of  freedom  and  home,  it  is  more 
pleasant  to  forget,  than  to  cherish  the  memory  of  this  long,  dark 
period  of  sharp  discomfort  and  privation." 

August  1 5th,  Major  Peale,  with  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  was  at  Hagerstown,  Md.,  doing  provost  duty — about 
four  hundred  and  eighty  paroled  men  were  at  Annapolis,  or  on  a 
French  leave  to  their  homes  in  Connecticut,  and  a  few  others 
were  in  hospital,  either  at  Baltimore,  or  Harper's  Ferry.  The 
remainder,  mostly  officers,  were  in  Richmond,  having  a  taste  of 
rebel  hospitality,  in  Libby  prison. 

Returning  to  parole  camp  August  I5th,  we  find  some  change 
in  the  position  of  affairs  at  that  place.  So  large  a  portion  of  the 
regiment  having  nothing  to  do,  but  to  enjoy  themselves  as  well 
as  they  could,  it  was  not  surprising  that  the  men  became  restless. 
Doing  nothing  was  most  tedious  of  all  things.  The  men  becom 
ing  disatisfied,  longed  for  a  change.  As  they  had  not  been  ex 
changed,  and  there  being  no  prospect  that  they  would  be  for 
sometime  to  come,  they  began  to  think  that  they  might  as  well 
make  an  effort  to  reach  home,  as  to  stay  where  they  were.  They 


170  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


made  known  their  intention  to  one  of  the  officers  who  replied: 
"If  they  did  not  set  out  for  home,  it  was  because  they  were  not 
smart,"  which  was  plain  intimation  for  them  to  go.  Of  course  the 
officer  in  charge  could  not  give  permission,  but  the  boys  under- 
stood  that  if  they  could  succeed,  he  would  make  no  trouble.  Not 
one  of  the  men,  however,  had  the  least  idea  of  deserting,  but  they 
were  of  no  use  to  the  government  where  they  were,  and  they 
might  as  well  go  home  on  a  short  visit,  returning  as  soon  as  it 
was  announced  that  exchange  had  been  effected.  They  did  go, 
at  least  a  portion  of  them,  some  one  way,  and  some  another. 
They  remained  at  home  about  a  month,  or  until  an  order  was  is 
sued  for  their  return,  from  the  Provost  Marshal,  in  the  district  to 
which  they  belonged  in  Norwich.  They  made  arrangements  to 
return  at  once,  and  would  have  been  back  at  Camp  Parole, 
several  days  earlier  than  was  the  case,  but  for  the  deception 
practiced  upon  them  by  two  men  from  Hartford,  named  Chapman 
and  Calhoun.  Among  the  number  were  eleven  men,  from 
Putnam,  who  were  basely  imposed  upon  by  meddling  officials. 
The  night  before  the  boys  intended  to  set  out  on  their  return, 
these  men  visited  Putnam  and  informed  the  soldiers  that  they 
would  furnish  them  transportation,  cheaper  and  quicker  than 
they  could  get  it  for  themselves.  This  quicker  passage  proved  to 
be  via  Hartford,  New  London  and  Governor's  Island,  New  York. 
At  the  latter  place  they  suffered  great  indignities,  and  were  put 
into  ''Castle  William,"  where  they  were  compelled  to  lie  on  the 
bare  floor,  without  blankets,  or  bedding,  suffering  not  a  little  from 
the  cold,  it  being  about  the  middle  of  September.  It  was  the 
opinion  of  the  victims  that  they  were  safer  in  the  hands  of  the 
rebels,  than  with  their  Hartford  friends,  whose  infamous  conduct 
will  not  be  forgotten.  With  reference  to  this  affair  one  of  the 
boys  wrote  as  follows  from  Annopolis: 

Once  again,  owing  to  the  philanthropic  and  patriotic  efforts  of 
the  friends  of  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers,  our  regi 
ment  is  somewhat  numerously  represented  here.  On  our  arrival 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  171 


we  found  it  was  not  our  loved  and  respected  Uncle  Sam.  who 
wanted  us,  but  some  individuals  who  wished  to  demonstrate,  to 
the  wondering  eyes  of  all  beholders,  the  mighty  power  resident 
in  the  small  body,  and  smaller  soul  of  some  of  the  petty  officials 
of  Connecticut,  who,  we  suppose,  consider  their  office  almost,  if 
not  quite,  equal  to  that  of  President  of  the  United  States,  and  are 
afraid  that  some  may  not  be  aware  of  the  fact." 

It  would  have  been  a  great  deal  more  instructive  than  flat 
tering  to  those  friends  of  the  soldier,  if  they  had  heard  the  opin 
ions  of  the  boys  concerning  their  character,  and  the  kind  wishes 
expressed  for  their  present  and  future  state.  At  this  time  the 
paroled  prisoners  had  been  removed  from  the  old  camp,  into  the 
new  barracks  built  this  summer,  about  a  mile  from  the  old  loca 
tion.  The  barracks  were  more  comfortable  than  the  old  tents> 
but  they  were  not  comfortable  enough  to  eradicate  from  the 
minds  of  the  boys,  their  hatred  and  contempt  for  the  "petty  of- 
ficals"  referred  to  above.  Nor  are  they  to  be  blamed  for  this. 
The  officers  knew  that  the  soldiers  were  not  deserters,  they  ac 
knowledged  they  were  not  deserters,  and,  moreover,  had  said 
that  had  they  been  in  their  places  they  would  not  have  done 
otherwise. 

After  this,  matters  resumed  their  usual  appearance  at  Camp 
Parole,  and  the  boys  tried  hard  to  be  contented  with  their  idle 
life,  though  it  was  difficult  to  be  contented.  The  camp  was  pleas 
antly  located,  on  a  level  piece  of  ground,  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
from  the  city  of  Annapolis  as  before  stated.  There  was  a  wood 
lot  near  by.  which  furnished  excellent  shade  in  the  heat  of  the 
day  but  at  the  same  time,  it  harbored  swarms  of  mosquitoes 
and  flies,  that  persisted  in  desperate  charges  on  the  men  at  every 
opportunity.  Finally  it  became  the  general  opinion  that  fighting 
mosquitoes,  was  about  as  unpleasant  and  dangerous  as  fighting 
rebels.  Good  bathing  places  were  within  a  short  distance,  and 
other  pleasant  surroundings  and  conveniences,  made  the  situa 
tion  tolerable.  If  any  one  was  not  cleanly  and  measurably 


1 72  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

/ 

healthy,  it  was  chiefly  his  own  fault.  Rations  were  drawn  regu 
larly,  and  in  sufficient  quantity,  and  the  men,  divided  into  squads, 
suiting  themselves  as  to  the  number  in  a  squad,  took  turns  in 
cooking  and  doing  housework  generally.  Not  a  few  boasted  of 
their  accomplishments  in  the  culinary  art,  and  many  a  "better 
half"  at  home,  was  informed  of  what  she  might  expect  in  the 
line  of  instruction,  if  "Johnny  should  be  so  fortunate  as  ever  to 
come  marching  home  again."  Hospital  tents,  a  few  rods  in  the 
rear  of  the  camp  were  kept  clean  and  comfortable,  and  the  sick 
apparently  were  well  cared  for.  Near  at  hand,  also,  was  a  good 
reading  room,  free  to  all,  and  furnished  with  tables,  writing  ma 
terial  in  abundance,  and  a  variety  of  things  for  the  convenience 
and  pleasure  of  the  soldiers.  The  good  Union  people  of  Balti 
more  had  the  credit  of  providing  all  these  comforts  and  conveni 
ences.  Religious  meetings,  singing  schools,  and  debates,  were 
held  in  one  tent,  where  those  disposed  could  spend  much  of  their 
time  pleasantly,  and  profitably.  In  fact  the  boys  had  nothing  to 
do,  but  please  themselves  through  the  remainder  of  the  month 
of  September,  and  they  succeeded  as  might  have  been  expected. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  173 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE    REGIMENT    REUNITED. 


On  the  2/th  of  September,  1863,  Col.  Peale  was  ordered  to 
report  to  Gen.  McReynolds  at  Martinsburg,  Va.  This  being 
done,  he  was  then  ordered  to  Annapolis  to  conduct  the  paroled 
portion  of  the  regiment  to  the  same  place,  as  it  was  reported  that 
an  exchange  had  been  effected.  The  reunion  occurred  Octo 
ber  3d,  and  was  a  time  of  great  interest.  For  nearly  four 
months  the  regiment  had  been  in  a  condition  of  disruption  and 
uncertainty,  not  at  all  favorable  to  military  order  and  discipline, 
and  the  boys  were  glad  to  see  each  other  once  more.  With 
reference  to  these  movements  we  find  the  following  recorded: 

o 

The  first  is  from  a  correspondent,    H.    C.    T.,   of  the    Windham 
County  Transcript,  under  date  of  October  i6th,  as  follows: 

"Two  weeks  ago  we  left  our  encampment  near  Hagerstown, 
and  marched  to  this  place,  and  find  ourselves  once  more  with 
the  brigade  that  escaped  from  Winchester.  Fifty  of  our  regi 
ment  were  left  at  Hagerstown,  for  provost  guard,  and  Lieut. 
Spaulding,  Company  D,  is  provost  marshal  there.  The  men  have 
plenty  of  guard  duty,  as  the  force  here  is  not  large.  Some  of 
the  boys  became  very  much  attached  to  Hagerstown,  and  were 
sorry  to  be  ordered  away,  but  last  Tuesday  orders  came  from 
the  war  department  to  remove  all  government  stores  to  Harper's 
Ferry,  and  the  sick  were  sent  to  Cumberland.  The  troops  were 
then  ordered  to  have  three  days'  rations  cooked,  and  to  be  ready 


1 74  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


to  fall  in  at  a  moment's  warning.  Sutlers  and  store-keepers 
packed  their  goods,  and  many  sent  them  off  on  the  cars,  negroes 
and  non-combatants  prepared  to  leave,  and  rumor  said  that  Gen. 
Lee  with  his  whole  army  was  again  in  the  valley.  Our  cavalry 
went  out  in  all  directions,  but  did  not  discover  that  any  force  of 
rebels  had  been  near  the  place,  with  the  exception  of  Imboden's 
cavalry.  Forty  of  the  rebels  were  captured  and  brought  in  last 
night.  We  miss  our  brave  officers,  the  most  of  whom  are  still 
in  Richmond  and  we  feel  rather  weary  of  the  situation  here.  The 
past  three  clays  have  been  full  of  excitement,  but  things  are 
more  quiet  now." 

There  were  serious  doubts  with  some  of  the  regiment  about 
the  validity  of  the  exchange,  and  hence  some  hesitation  in 
resuming  duty,  as  the  following  letter,  signed  ''Transcript  De 
partment,"  will  show: 

"We  are  once  more  in  camp  with  the  regiment,  having  been 
brought  from  parole  camp  by  Maj.  Peale.  Our  arms  have  not 
yet  been  offered  to  us,  and  there  is  a  disposition  on  the  part  of 
a  majority,  to  refuse  them,  believing,  as  we  do,  that  the  exchange 
was  unlawful.  Therefore  the  men  hesitated  to  return  to  duty, 
as  in  case  of  a  re-capture  they  would  be  subject  to  be  shot  in 
stantly  and  without  trial." 

The  difficulty,  however,  was  soon  satisfactorily  settled,  and 
the  men  resumed  duty  under  the  government  which  justly  de 
manded  and  needed  their  services.  At  this  time  the  regiment 
numbered  about  six  hundred,  with  nine  officers,  four  staff,  and 
five  of  the  line.  Of  the  field  officers  were  Maj.  Henry  Peale,  in 
command;  E.  Benjamin  Culver,  adjutant;  Josiah  V.  Harrington, 
first  assistant  surgeon;  William  B.  North,  second  assistant  sur 
geon.  Of  the  line,  three  were,  captains,  Joseph  Mathcwson, 
\Villiam  L.  Spanieling  and  John  H.  Morrison;  Lieuts.  Horatio 
Blanchard  and  Noadiah  P.  Johnson.  It  was  a  small  number  of 
commissioned  officers  for  so  large  a  number  of  men.  Surgeons 
Harrington  and  North  were  not  in  very  good  health,  the  latter 


Capt.    FRANKLIN  G.  BIXBY. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  175 


having  but  just  recovered  from  the  typhoid  fever  which  attacked 
him  soon  after  his  escape  from  Winchester,  and  which  had  been 
induced  by  the  exposure  and  fatigue  of  that  hasty  retreat.  Dr. 
Harrington  had  suffered  severe!}  from  the  same  causes,  but  the 
health  of  the  regiment,  as  a  whole,  at  tlvs  time,  was  remarkably 
good.  The  camp  was  located  about  one-half  of  a  mile  west  of 
the  town,  upon  a  slight  elevation  of  \\ood-land,  and  was  beauti 
ful  in  its  situation.  The  growth  o  timber  was  very  fine  and 
large,  and  the  near  proximity  of  the  Federal  troops  furnished  an 
excellent  market  for  it  as  it  rapidly  disappeared,  being  converted 
into  log  huts,  and  fuel  for  camp  fires.  However,  the  boys  were 
obliged  to  go  a  long  distance  for  water  for  drinking  and  cooking 
purposes.  Between  the  camp  and  the  town  there  was  a  beauti 
ful  plain,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  width,  and  half  a  mile  long, 
which  was  used  for  company  and  regimental  drills,  and  dress  pa 
rades.  No  place  could  have  been  better  adapted  for  these  pur 
poses  in  dry  weather,  but  alter  rain  it  was  like  most  Virginia  soil, 
muddy  and  slippery.  The  Eighteenth  were  not  without  pleas 
ant  neighbors.  On  the  north  was  the  camp  of  the  Third  and 
Fourth  Regiments  of  Pennsylvania  infantry;  on  the  south,  the 
One  hundred  and  sixteenth  and  One  hundred  and  twenty-third 
regiments  of  Ohio  infantry;  and  other  regiments  of  infantry  and 
cavalry  were  in  close  proximity,  besides  several  batteries,  making 
a  large  force  in  and  about  Marti nsburg.  All  this  force  had  ac 
cess  to  the  parade  ground,  drilled  when  it  was  convenient, 
thus  making  lively  times  during  the  fall  and  winter  months. 
On  the  whole,  the  Eighteenth  was  as  pleasantly  situated 
for  winter  quarters  as  one  could  reasonably  expect.  Many 
rumors  were  now  becoming  rife  as  to  the  near  approach 
of  the  rebels.  On  the  i8th  of  October,  there  was  quite 
a  lively  fight  at  Charlestown,  eighteen  miles  away,  and 
while  this  was  progressing  the  roar  of  artillery  was  distinctly 
heard  at  Martinsburg,  producing  no  little  excitement.  An  order 
broke  up  the  camp  of  the  Eighteenth,  and  the  paroled  prisoners 


1 76  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


were  sent  off  toward  Williamsport,  with  the  trains,  while  other 
regiments  were  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  After  marching 
about  eight  miles,  news  came  that  the  rebels  had  been  forced  to 

retreat,  and   in   obedience   to   orders   the  regiment   returned  to 

& 

Martinsburg,  arriving  in  their  old  camp  about  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  tired  enough,  and  quite  profane  in  their  compliments 
for  almost  everybody,  and  the  rebels  in  particular.  It  was  their 
first  really  tiresome  march,  as  a  regiment,  since  their  reunion, 
Life  here  was  somewhat  different  from  that,  either  at  Annapolis, 
or  Hagerstown. 

In  speaking  of  the  little  scare  on  the  i8th,  it  might  be  men 
tioned  that  our  Suiter,  showed  a  little  nervousness,  as  the  firing 
continued  and  the  troops  began  to  move.  He  became  very  bene 
volent  all  at  once,  and  began  to  distribute  his  effects  among  the 
boys,  some  getting  one  thing  and  some  another.  The  paroled  pris 
oners  who  marched  toward  Williamsport  that  day,  were  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.  Blanchard,  Company  B,  some  of  whom  thought 
the  march  to  Richmond  not  much  worse.  The  weather  at  this 
time  was  delightful  and  the  regiment  continued  in  excellent 
health.  The  boys  entertained  each  other  with  a  variety  of  good 
things,  which  they  bought  (confiscated)  of  the  farmers  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  camp.  Hard  tack  and  milk  was  the  common  dish, 
though,  and  on  the  whole  it  was  not  a  disagreeable  one.  It  is 
true  the  men  sometimes  forgot  to  pay  the  farmers  for  the  privi 
lege  of  milking  their  cows,  (on  the  run  too),  into  their  canteens, 
"but  then  they  would  make  it  all  right,  when  they  came  that  way 
again,  or  when  the  war  was  over."  We  were  a  happy  jolly  crew,  in 
those  days,  says  one  of  them.  October  2ist,  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  report  to  headquarters,  and  arms  were  offered  to 
the  men,  but  some  were  still  in  doubt  about  the  legality  of  the  ex 
change.  Later  in  the  day  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  the 
parade  ground,  when  an  officer  from  the  general  headquarters  as 
sured  the  boys,  upon  his  "honor  as  a  gentleman  and  an  officer, 
that  the  exchange  was  all  right."  All  then  received  arms  and 
were  ready  for  service  again. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  177 


October  23d — a  beautiful  day. — Battallion  drill  in  the  after 
noon  and  some  of  the  men  had  cracker  toast  for  supper.  The 
latter  was  relished  quite  as  well  as  the  drill. 

October  2gth,  had  the  first  drill,  forenoon  and  afternoon  since 
the  reunion,  as  it  was  four  months  at  least  since  most  of  the  men 
had  handled  arms,  and  it  was  a  little  hard  at  first. 

October  25th,  there  was  an  inspection.  It  had  been  a  long 
time  since  the  regiment  had  had  one,  and  Capt.  Mathewson,  Co. 
D,  was  the  inspecting  officer.  Apple  and  bread  for  supper  that 
night.  It  was  luxurious  living,  some  thought,  for  a  soldier,  but  all 
were  not  quite  so  lucky.  Next  day  there  was  guard  mounting 
down  town,  and  a  large  picket  guard  was  sent  by  a  round  about 
way  to.  the  north,  where  they  camped  in  the  woods  and  lay  around 
during  the  day,  and  at  milking  time  assisted  the  farmers,  as  usual 
The  men  rarely  forgot  to  be  helpful  when  out  on  picket  duty,  and 
hence  they  fared  sumptuous.  In  camp  everything  had  gone 
on  bravely;  with  logs  and  boards,  comfortable  tents  and  huts 
were  made,  and  the  general  appearance  was  more  like  civilization. 
Special  attention  was  given  to  the  cook  houses,  and  to  make  brick 
ovens  in  which  to  bake  pork  and  beans.  The  latter  arrangement 
proved  to  be  an  excellent  institution  as  l<Pork  and  beans  day'' 
suggested  many  pleasant  recollections,  and  furnished  occasion  for 
the  boys  to  brag  about  their  proficiency  in  the  culinary  art. 

October  27th,  George  Hayes,  Company  H,  died  and  was 
buried  with  military  honors.  Poor  fellow,  he  had  been  sick  a 
long  time,  but  his  discharge  came  at  last. 

On  October  3Oth,  company  drill  as  usual  in  the  forenoon,  but 
it  was  soon  brought  to  a  halt,  to  give  the  boys  an  opportunity  to 
sign  the  pay-rolls.  This  delightful  service  had  not  been  perform 
ed  by  some  of  the  men  for  four  months,  and  the  prospect  of 
receiving  all  of  sixty-four  dollars  at  one  time,  was  quite  exhilara 
ting.  The  last  day  of  October  was  cold  and  blustering,  but  the 
men  did  not  mind  it,  as  they  were  marched  on  to  the  parade 
ground,  for  muster. 


178  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


During  the  day  companies  K,  D  and  E,  were  ordered  into  town 
on  provost  duty,  and  were  quartered  in  Grantham  Hall,  an 
old  structure,  not  a  little  dilapidated  and  defaced,  inside  and 
out,  though  it  still  furnished  quite  comfortable  quarters.  Surgeon 
North  was  sent  down  from  camp  and  had  a  room  in  the 
same  building,  but  his  health  was  so  poor  that  he  was  really 
not  able  to  attend  to  his  duties. 

November  2d,  Col.  Rogers,  post  commander,  reviewed  his 
troops,  and  artillery,  infantry,  and  cavalry  marched  through  the 
town,  making  a  tine  display.  It  pleased  the  Union  people  of  the 
place,  but  the  rebels  looked  as  black  as  night.  The  army  blue 
had  no  charms  for  them,  and  Lincoln's  government  was  an 
abomination  not  to  be  endured.  These  fellows,  however,  could 
not  help  themselves;  and  there  was  some  comfort  in  this  thought. 
On  November  5th  there  was  another  scare,  as  the  rumor  ran  that 
Imboden's  cavalry  was  coming.  A  citizen  v;as  mistaken,  and 
soon  everything  became  quiet  again. 

November  6th,  three  companies  were  sent  to  town,  the 
rest  of  the  regiment  being  still  in  camp.  Several  promotions 
had  been  made  before  this  time,  to  fill  vacancies:  First  Lieut. 
John  E.  Woodward,  Company  F,  was  promoted  captain,  October 
loth;  First  Lieut.  John  H.  Morrison,  Company  I,  was  promoted 
captain,  October  i9th;  Second  Lieut.  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  Compa 
ny  I,  was  promoted  first  lieutenant,  October  iQth;  and  Second 
Lieut.  Henry  F.  Cowles,  Company  C,  was  promoted  first  lieu 
tenant,  October  loth.  Other  changes  had  been  effected  up  to 
November,  which  had  increased  the  numerical  strength  of  the 
commissioned  officers.  Previously,  on  August  1 2th,  private  D. 
L.  Wilson,  Company  C,  was  promoted  second  lieutenant,  Third 
Maryland  cavalry.  No  doubt  these  promotions  were  well  de 
served  and  not  merely  complimentary. 

On  November  I2th,  the  paymaster  came  again,  and  the  Eigh 
teenth  went  to  bed  that  night  with  their  pockets  lined  with 
greenbacks.  Pay  day  was  a  gala  day,  and  it  was  emphatically  so 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  179 


that  time,  as  it  had  been  so  long  since  the  men  had  been  paid 
off.  On  the  day  previous,  Gen.  Sullivan  had  been  expected, 
and  the  troops  all  turned  out  to  give  him  a  salute,  but  he  did 
not  come.  Before  paying  off  the  men,  the  provost  marshal  had 
closed  all  the  drinking  saloons  in  town,  and  this  was  fruitful  in 
keeping  the  money  in  the  regiment.  Nevertheless,  the  saloon 
keepers  resorted  to  all  sorts  of  ways  to  smuggle  in  the  poison, 
but  a  close  watch  was  kept  for  them.  One  day  a  lot  of  barrels 
came  to  the  depot,  marked  flour,  salt,  potatoes,  &c,  but  when 
examined  each  barrel  was  found  to  contain  a  large  keg  of 
whisky,  with  above  articles  packed  around  them,  but  on  the  whole 
prohibition  worked  well.  There  was  better  order  among  the, 
soldiers,  and  less  disturbance  both  in  camp  and  in  the  town. 

November  i8th,  scouting  parties  and  foraging  trains  were 
sent  out  in  all  directions,  and  they  were  quite  successful.  One 
party  brought  in  thirteen  prisoners,  and  a  foraging  train  came 
with  three  hundred  bushels  of  wheat,  and  a  large  quantity  of 
corn.  The  next  day  one  hundred  bushels  of  wheat  and  two 
hundred  and  fifty  bushels  of  corn  were  brought  in.  This  kind 
of  work  was  exciting,  and  often  resulted  in  important  captures, 
and  the  seizures  of  rebel  property,  which  was  confiscated  for 
use  of  the  Federal  government.  In  the  meantime  company,  .bat 
talion  drill,  and  dress  parade  were  daily  duties,  as  circumstances 
and  weather  permitted.  The  old  interest  and  pride  of  the 
Eighteenth  seemed  to  be  revived  in  these  matters,  and  the 
promptness  and  efficiency  of  the  men  received  the  hearty  com 
mendation  of  regimental  and  brigade  commanders.  This  was 
all  the  more  creditable  from  the  fact  that  their  condition,  for 
months  previous,  had  been  anything  but  favorable  to  progress 
in  military  science;  it  requiring  constant  activity  and  persever 
ance  to  make  a  good  soldier,  as  in  other  things. 

At  the  depot  there  was  special  work  to  do  upon  arrival  of  all 
the  trains,  and  this  duty  was  attended  to  by  a  corporal  and 
twelve  men  from  Company  K,  after  November  2ist.  All  sus- 


i8o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIME 'NT 


picious  looking  trunks  and  boxes  were  examined,  and  in  some 
instances  the  wardrobe  of  a  single  lady  was  found  to  be  enor 
mous.  An  excellent  way  was  this  to  smuggle  dress  goods  into 
"'Dixie,"  and  there  was  a  great  deal  of  it  done,  in  spite  of  the 
closest  vigilance  on  the  part  of  the  provost  guard. 

November  25th.  This  was  the  second  Thanksgiving  spent 
in  the  service,  and  the  friends  at  home  did  not  forget  their  ab 
sent  ones.  Boxes  from  various  points  in  New  London  and  Wind- 
ham  Counties,  had  been  arriving  for  several  days  in  succession, 
so  that  by  Thursday  there  were  many  happy  hearts  in  the  Eigh 
teenth.  Of  course  all  the  turkies  eaten  this  day,  did  not  come 
from  Connecticut,  for  some  of  the  stay  at  homes  omitted  to 
send  contributions.  Some  had  none  to  send,  and  some  sent  them 
too  late,  but  most  of  the  boys  had  a  good  time.  One  of  them 
shall  speak  for  the  whole  number  on  this  question,  though  if  all 
the  letters  could  be  produced,  that  were  sent  home  about  the 
"dinners"  of  that  day  in  Martinsburg,  they  would  make  an  inter 
esting  volume.  One  of  Company  D,  writes  as  follows  to  the 
Windham  Co.  Transcript: 

"Again  have  we  passed  a  thanksgiving  away  from  home  and 
loved  ones,  but  it  was  not  forgotten  by  us.  We  thought  of  the 
many  Thanksgivings  spent  at  the  old  homesteads,  where  children 
and  grandchildren  met,  and  in  peace  and  happiness  partook  of 
the  sumptuous  fare.  We  remember  that  there  are  many  who,  as 
they  meet  upon  this  day,  will  miss  those,  who  in  former  years, 
have  always  been  with  them.  Yes,  Thanksgiving  day  will  be 
a  sad  time  for  many  families  throughout  the  land,  and  nearly 
every  one  will  mourn  the  absence  of  father,  brother,  or  son.  Yet  we 
have  reason  to  give  thanks  for  the  blessing  that  so  many  of  us  are 
spared,  and  that  our  armies  are  victorious;  and  let  us  hope  and 
pray  that  before  another  year  rolls  round,  the  rebellion  will  be 
crushed,  and  we  shall  be  permitted  to  return  to  our  homes.  Many 
of  the  companies  here  had  a  good  supper,  and  if  the  turkies  were 
raised  in  Virginia,  I  think  they  were  Union  before  we  got  through 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  181 


with  them.  Our  own  company  had  turkies  and  plum  pudding, 
served  in  a  style  that  reminded  us  of  home,  and  even  the  sick 
grew  better  at  the  sight  of  the  heavily  laden  tables,  and  claimed 
their  share  of  the  good  things.  After  supper  remarks  were  made 
by  members  of  the  company,  and  I  venture  to  say  that  if  we  live 
to  return,  we  shall  look  back  with  pleasure  to  this  time.  But  we 
would  not  have  our  readers  believe  we  live  like  this  all  the  time, 
for  fear  'Uncle  Sam.' would  have  more  volunteers  than  he  could 
find  use  for.  There  was  preaching  in  the  Methodist  Church,  both 
forenoon  and  evening,  by  the  chaplains  of  regiments  stationed 
here,  and  it  was  well  attended  by  Companies  D,  E  and  K,  station 
ed  in  town,  but  those  in  camp  were  not  allowed  to  go,  having 
but  little  time  for  religious  meetings.  Our  regiment  is  very  much 
in  want  of  a  chaplain  at  this  time. 

A  member  of  the  Company  K,  gives  a  similar  picture  of  affairs 
with  them.  They  had  turkey  too,  and  other  "fixins"  all  of  which 
were  pronounced  very  good.  At  this  time  the  weather  was 
splendid,  the  days  being  warm  for  the  season  though  the  nights 
were  cooi.  The  men  were  in  excellent  spirits,  Bragg's  defeat  in 
Tennessee,  and  retreat  into  Georgia,  and  some  successes  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  creating  much  good  feeling  generally,  and 
the  hope  was  strong  that  the  Eighteenth  would  soon  be  on  its 
way  home.  Patriotism  ran  high  in  the  Eighteenth,  and  many 
letters  were  written  home  by  individual  members  of  the  regiment 
to  induce  young  men  to  enlist,  and  help  put  down  the  rebellion. 

The  following  is,  perhaps,  a  fair  specimen  and  worth  preserv 
ing,  and  shows  the  spirit  that  prevailed  at  the  front.  It  was  written 
by  a  member  of  Company  D,  Frank  W.  Cheney,  to  his  sister  in 
Eastforcl,  Conn.  Frank  was  a  good  fellow,  every  inch  a  soldier 
and  brim  full  of  patriotism  ;  but  we  shall  let  him  speak  for  him 
self.  He  writes: 

"  I  have  the  same  things  to  do,  clay  after  day,  but  I  consider 
that  it  is  for  my  country,  and  if  I  live  to  get  home,  after  the  war 
is  ended,  I  shall  be  satisfied.  There  is  one  thing  about  it  that 


i82  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


is  sure,  I  would  not  be  a  young  man  at  home  in  security  at  such 
time  of  our  country's  danger.  It  seems  to  me  that  I  could  not 
sleep  if  I  was  at  home  now,  knowing  how  much  my  coun try 
needs  me.  Thank  God,  I  am  fighting  to  save  it  !  You  girls,  at 
home,  are  not  half  as  patriotic  as  you  ought  to  be.  If  you  were, 
our  army  would  be  full  of  young  men.  You  ought  not  to  speak 
to  a  young  man  who  will  not  go  where  duty  calls.  Kate,  now  I 
am  going  to  give  you  some  good  advice,  and  do  heed  it,  if  you 
love  your  poor  brother  at  all.  Don't  ever  marry  a  man  who  has 
not  been  a  soldier.  I  consider  that  there  is  very  little  true 
manhood  in  any  young  man,  who  continues  at  home,  ^when  his 
country  has  called  so  long,  and  is  still  calling  for  all  her  loyal 
sons  to  rally  for  her  support.  What  we  want  is  more  men. 
Our  armies  have  been  snccessful  all  through  the  summer  cam 
paign,  and  of  course  have  got  thinned  out,  now  more  men  are 
wanted  to  press  on  the  rebels  while  they  are  discouraged.  In 
all  your  actions,  dear  sister,  remember  you  are  sister  to  a  soldier, 
and  allow  no  one,  who  has  not  patriotism  enough  to  do  what  he 
can  in  the  cause,  to  have  anything  to  say  to  you.  Perhaps  you 
think  L  write  too  much  and  too  strongly  on  this  point,  but  it  is 
true.  The  North  is  not  half  awake.  While  you  are  living  in 
security  at  home,  you  do  not  realize  that  there  is  a  bloody  war 
going  on,  that  is  to  decide  whether  we  have  a  country  or  not. 
If  we  loose  our  cause,  it  will  show  to  other  nations  what  a  de 
generate  race  we  are — not  willing  to  save  the  free  institutions 
our  fore-fathers  fought  seven  years  to  bestow  on  us,  their 
descendants." 

Noble  sentiments  !  They  ought  to  be  handed  down  to  future 
generations,  as  indicative  of  the  noble  qualities  of  the  men  com 
posing  the  Eighteenth  and  of  the  Union  Army  as  a  w.iole.  On 
November  3Oth,  Second  Lieut.  Noadiah  P.  Johnson,  Company 
D,  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  and  Sergeant  Franklin  G. 
Bixby  was  promoted  to  be  second  lieutenant  of  the  same  com 
pany.  These  officers  had  done  excellent  service,  and  well  de- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  183 


served  their  new  honors.  Both  of  them  were  successful  teachers 
before  the  war,  and  left  remunerative  positions  to  take  part 
in  the  war  for  the  Union.  And  there  were  many  more  in  the 
ranks  who  would  have  filled  an  officer's  position,  had  there 
been  offices  enough  for  all. 

As  the  cold  weather  came  on,  the  number  of  deserters  from 
the  sinking  confederacy,  greatly  increased.  Refugees  from  up 
the  valley  were  glad  also  to  partake  of  Union  hospitality.  It  was 
a  sad  story  that  most  of  them  told,  of  \vant  and  destitution  and 
high  prices  of  living.  They  were  a  care-worn  pitiful  looking  set. 
A  deserter  from  Stuart's  cavalry  came  in  one  morning  and  took 
breakfast  with  the  Eighteenth  pickets,  after  which  the  poor  fel 
low  said:  "I  feel  the  happiest  now  I  have  for  many  months,  and 
there  are  thousands  who  would  leave  if  they  could." 

A  great  many  of  these  unfortunates  were  glad  to  take  the  oath 
of  allegiance,  declaring  they  were  sick  of  the  war.  Large  numbers 
of  contrabands  came  in  also,  and  were  employed  as  waiters  and 
teamsters.  On  the  whole  the  Eighteenth  had  very  interesting 
experiences  with  Confederate  deserters,  who  seemed  glad  to  get 
away  from  the  dominion  of  ''Jeff  Davis."  It  was  pleasing  also  to 
note  the  growing  sentiment  of  the  citizens  in  Martinsburg  and 
vicinity,  in  favor  of  the  Union  cause,  as  the  opinion  was  gaining 
ground  that  the  "Confederacy"  must  soon  be  destroyed. 

Capt.  Thomas  K.  Bates,  Company  B,  wounded  at  Winchester 
June  1 5th,  was  honorably  discharged  November  i  ;th,  as  there 
was  no  prospect  of  his  speedy  recovery.  This  was  a  matter  of 
general  regret,  especially  in  his  company,  as  Capt.  Bates  was  a 
strict  disciplinarian,  much  respected,  and  his  loss  was  deeply- 
felt. 

Of  the  twenty-four  officers  taken  to  Libby,  Surgeon  Holbrook 
was  the  first  to  be  exchanged.  On  November  23d,  the  follow 
ing  record  was  made  by  an  inmate  of  Libby.  "The  prospect 
of  an  immediate  exchange  having  vanished,  there  seems  to  be 
no  hope,  for  at  least  two  months  to  come.  We-  can  with  but 


1 84  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


slight  certainly  predict  the  future."  Five  long  months  have 
passed,  and  "hope  deferred  makes  the  heart  sick."  It  was 
therefore  a  joyful  surprise,  when  on  the  25th  of  November,  the 
surgeons  in  Libby,  or  a  part  of  them,  were  informed  that  they 
were  exchanged.  Major  Turner  issued  the  order  for  the  sur 
geons  to  fall '  in,  early  in  the  morning.  There  was  a  general 
desire  on  the  part  of  the  remaining  prisoners,  to  send  some  word 
to  their  friends  at  home,  at  the  hands  of  the  liberated.  Though 
the  medical  gentlemen  were  quite  willing  to  oblige  their  com 
rades,  they  had  to  be  exceedingly  careful  not  to  be  detected. 

All  the  exchanged  were  carefully  searched,  and  ail  contraband 
articles  found  on  their  persons  were  not  only  taken  away,  but  all 
such  persons  were  retained.  If  only  one  or  two  had  been  going 
away,  it  would  have  been  possible  to  make  a  rigid  examination, 
and  if  nothing  objectionable  was  found,  to  let  them  pass.  But 
there  being  so  large  a  number,  there  was  no  time  for  so  minute 
an  inspection,  and  hence  all  articles  found  were  confiscated. 
But  the  sharp  rebel  officials,  in  some  instances,  were  outwitted. 
Letters  written  on  tissue  paper  were  concealed  in  coat-buttons, 
under  the  soles  of  boots  and  shoes,  and  the  crowns  of  hats,  and 
cuffs  were  ripped  open  and  filled  with  letters,  and  then  sewed  to 
gether  again.  "  Every  device  was  resorted  to,  which  promised 
success."  The  prisoners  were,  of  course,  anxious,  in  some  way 
to  convey  to  their  friends  the  "secret  of  communicating  with 
them,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  rebels."  Thus:  "  Hold  this 
paper  to  the  light,"  wrote  one,  while  another  directed  a  box  to 
be  sent  him  with,  greenbacks  hidden  in  a  roll  of  butter,  or  in  a 
piece  of  cheese,  or  inside  a  pickle,  or  a  bottle  of  vinegar."  It 
was  hoped  that  the  surgeons  would  make  such  representations 
at  Washington,  as  would  bring  about  a  general  exchange.  Sur 
geon  Holbrook  was  the  bearer  of  important  information  to  the 
friends  of  his  comrades,  in  different  parts  of  New  London  and 
Windham  counties.  He  remained  in  Washington  no  longer 
than  was  necessary,  a&d  ma.de  his  way  home  to  New-  England, 


•;< 
ad 

I 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  185 


He  went  direct  to  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  thence  to  Thompson, 
Conn.  His  arrival  in  Connecticut  was  an  event  of  importance 
to  home  friends.  He  was  besieged  everywhere,  and  plied  with 
questions  with  reference  to  the  condition  of  the  remaining  officers 
of  the  regiment,  and  as  to  the  probability  of  their  release. 
There  was  a  general  desire  to  hear  the  surgeon  on  this  subject, 
hence  he  wrote  an  address  portraying  his  "  Experiences  in 
Libby."  A  public  meeting  was  called  in  Putnam,  on  Monday 
evening,  December  I4th,  and  Quinebaug  hall  was  filled  with  the 
friends  of  the  Eighteenth,  who  listened  for  one  hour  and  a  half, 
with  unflagging  interest,  to  his  able  address.  His  views  of  the 
character  of  the  leaders  of  the  Rebellion,  its  objects,  and  the  mel 
ancholy  results  that  must  follow  a  failure  to  suppress  this  deter 
mined  onset  against  republican  institutions,  together  with  his 
portrayal  of  the  patriotic  endurance  of  his  many  fellow  prisoners, 
who  were  willing  to  suffer  to  the  last  rather  than  have  our  gov 
ernment  yield  to  any  terms  of  exchange  that  would  be  dishonor 
able  to  our  cause,  were  given  with  the  force  and  energy  of  one 
who  had  seen  and  felt  the  monstrous  and  outrageous  tyranny  of 
the  Southern  Confederacy.  This  address  was  published  after 
ward  in  the  Windham  County  Transcript,  in  a  series  of  articles, 
which  gave  universal  satisfaction. 

Dr.  Holbrook's  experiences  were  read  by  the  regiment  at 
Martinsburg  with  the  deepest  interest.  The  boys  were  pleased 
to  hear  directly  from  their  officers  in  Libby  whom  they  greatly 
missed.  Their  continued  absence  was  the  topic  of  daily  conver 
sation,  aiad  there  was  a  growing  desire  for  their  return,  as  their 
presence  was  needed.  There  could  be  no  promotions  while  they 
were  still  members  of  the  regiment,  hence  officers  of  a  lower 
grade  were  obliged  to  do  the  work  ot  the  higher.  Most  of  the 
companies  were  under  the  command  of  lieutenants  and  orderly 
sergeants  doing  the  service  of  a  higher  grade.  In  some  instan 
ces  one  lieutenant  had  charge  of  two  or  three  companies.  Thus 
the  regiment  suffered  not  a  little  for  the  want  of  more  commis- 


1 86  EIGH  TEE  NTH  REGIMENT 


sioned  officers.  This  want  was  felt  more  seriously  at  a  later 
period  when  it  was  ordered  again  to  the  front.  However,  but 
few  regiments  ever  showed  more  proficiency  in  drill  and  disci 
pline  under  the  same  circumstances  than  did  the  Eighteenth. 
The  few  officers  remaining  performed  their  dut)  well,  and  took 
commendable  interest  arid  pride  in  having  their  command  under 
good  discipline  and  drill.  It  was  very  creditable,  however,  to 
the  whole  regiment  that  absentees  were  kindly  remembered,  and 
their  return  ardently  desired.  It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  the 
best  of  feeling  will  always  prevail  among  officers,  or  between  the 
officers  and  privates  of  the  same  regiment.  There  will  be  feuds 
and  jealousies,  detractions  and  evil  speakings.  The  Eighteenth 
was  blameworthy  in  some,  of  these  respects,  still  it  is  but  just  to 
say  that  there  was  not  a  regiment  in  the  servic^  in  which  a  bet 
ter  spirit  was  shown  in  all  grades,  and  among  all  grades  than  in 
this;  and  a  contrary  feeling  and  action  were  the  exceptions.  In 
proof  of  this,  it  is  only  necessary  to  refer  to  the  kind  manner  in 
which  the  men  often  referred  to  their  absent  officers,  and  the 
general  wish  on  the  part  of  both  officers  and  privates  at  Martins- 
burg  for  the  return  of  that  portion  of  their  regiment  in  Libby. 
Whether  in  writing  home  to  their  friends,  or  in  conversation 
with  each  other,  the  same  kind  and  appreciative  language  was 
observable.  It  is  due  to  all  concerned,  and  as  a  very  pleasant 
feature  in  the  history  of  the  Eighteenth,  that  some  of  these 
comments  should  be  recorded. 

A  private,  writing  home,  says:  "  We  miss  our  brave  officers 
greatly;  most  of  whom  are  still  in  Richmond."  Another  writes: 
"  We  feel  proud  of  our  officers.  They  were  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight,  and  displayed  the  best  qualities  of  soldiers."  Another 
comments:  "Little  knots  of  us  gather  and  talk  of  the  bravery 
and  coolness  of  our  officers  and  men,  and  could  strangers  listen 
they  would  know  how  deep  is  the  affection  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
Eighteenth  for  their  comrades.  All  are  lavish  in  their  praises. 
As  a  child  treasures  up  the  recollection  of  his  parents,  so  do  we 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  187 


treasure  the  recollection  of  our  commanders."  Many  an  evening 
was  spent  in  the  tents  at  Martinsburg  discussing  the  merits  of 
different  officers  and  privates  who  distinguished  themselves  in 
the  battle  at  Winchester.  All  were  agreed  that  Capt.  Kibbie's 
excursion  to  Richmond  might  have  been  better  managed  by  the 
Yankees  in  every  respect.  That  it  was  so  was  not  the  fault  of 
the  commanders,  either  of  the  field  or  line.  Col.  Ely's  name 
was  often  mentioned  with  pride,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols  aston 
ished  all  his  command  by  his  bravery  and  daring,  winning 
universal  admiration.  Maj.  Peale  was  fearless  and  brave,  and 
it  was  universally  admitted  that  almost  every  line  officer  was 
worthy  of  promotion.  It  is  no  wonder  then  that  the  men  often 
wrote  home  that  their  officers  in  Libby  were  missed,  and  an 
ticipated  the  time  of  their  return  with  unfeigned  pleasure. 
About  this  time  a  letter  was  written  by  Lieut.  Scranton,  Compa 
ny  K,  in  reply  to  some  of  these  commendations,  calling  attention 
to  the  fact  that  Capt.  Matthewson,  of  the  same  company,  de 
served  the  highest  praise  for  leading  his  company  in  three 
charges  in  the  face  of  the  greatest  dangers. 

Among  other  matters  of  special  interest  about  the  first  of 
December,  was  an  extensive  revival  of  religion  in  Martinsburg. 
The  Methodist  church  was  open  nearly  every  evening  for  a  while, 
and  there  was  preaching  by  the  chaplains  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Sixteenth  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-third  Ohio  regiments 
of  infantry.  The  meetings  were  attended  by  many  of  the  sold 
iers,  and  among  oth<  rs,  Companies  D,  E  and  K,  Eighteenth 
Connecticut,  stationed  in  town.  Soldiers  and  citizens  bowed  to 
gether  in  worship,  and  many  sought  and  found  the  Saviour. 
The  influence  of  this  revival  was  very  salutary,  and  a  great 
change  was  manifest  in  the  deportment  of  the  soldiers.  Home 
friends  were  made  glad  by  the  glowing  accounts  which  the  new 
ly  converted  sent  them  of  the  pleasing  work.  The  members  of 
the  church  took  great  interest  in  this  revival,  and  often  invited 
the  men  to  visit  them,  when  off  duty,  for  religious  conference, 


1 88  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


singing  and  prayer.  One  custom  of  the  people  here  was  new  to 
New  England  men,  viz.:  that  of  kneeling  in  public  prayer  on  the 
Sabbath.  It  was  an  interesting  sight  to  see  a  crowded  assembly 
fall  at  once  upon  their  knees  and  join  in  the  public  prayers  of 
the  pulpit,  as  well  as  of  the  conference  meeting.  Many  soldiers 
will  never  forget  those  interesting  and  impressive  scenes  of  re 
ligious  enjoyment. 

On  December  loth  seven  companies  were  ordered  to  Charles- 
town,  rumor  being  rife  of  the  near  approach  of  rebels.  Gen. 
Averill,  with  a  body  of  cavalry,  was  to  go  up  the  valley  at  the 
same  time  with  the  Eighteenth.  At  Strasburg  thirty  rebels 
were  captured.  The  Eighteenth  had  a  rough  time  at  Charles- 
town,  and  were  absent  eighteen  days.  Returned  to  camp  at 
Marti nsburg  on  Christmas  clay.  As  they  passed  through  the 
town,  on  their  way  back,  three  hearty  cheers  were  given  for  the 
old  flag.  Their  transit  through  the  town  created  considerable 
excitement.  The  men  were  glad  enough  to  get  back  to  camp. 
During  their  absence  twenty-two  recruifcs  had  arrived  for  the 
regiment.  They  came  on  December  1 7th,  and  the  men  were 
distributed  among  the  different  companies,  Company  D  having 
seven  of  the  number,  and  lacking  only  five  of  having  its  full  com 
plement,  including  a  few  who  were  absent  on  account  of  sickness. 

On  December  iQth  Martinsburg  was  barricaded,  aline  of  posts 
being  driven  across  the  street.  These  were  eight  or  nine  feet  in 
height,  and  intended  to  prevent  the  rebel  cavalry  from  surprising 
the  town.  Many  of  the  men  received  a  portion  of  their  State 
bounty  at  this  time,  ten  dollars  each,  and  Christmas  day  passed 
very  pleasantly.  At  the  beginning  of  the  holidays,  some  of  the 
boys  in  town  had  roast  turkey  and  other  good  things,  while  the 
principal  part  of  the  regiment,  having  just  come  in  from  their 
eighteen  days'  visit  to  Charlestown,  were  glad  to  take  what  they 
could,  after  their  arrival  in  camp.  Company  E,  Capt.  Palmer, 
relieved  Company  D,  and  the  latter  was  ordered  to  report  at 
Hagerstown,  Md.  This  change  caused  some  complaint  in  cer- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  189 


tain  quarters,  but  there  was  no  help  for  it.  Soldiers  must  obey 
orders  without  asking  questions.  Lorenzo  N.  Buck,  Company 
B,  died  December  28th,  and  his  body  was  sent  home  to  his  fami 
ly  in  Putnam,  Conn.,  the  next  day,  being  escorted  to  the  depot 
with  military  honors.  Buck  was  an  excellent  man,  a  good  sold 
ier,  who  enlisted  from  sincere  convictions  of  duty.  His  loss  was 
deeply  felt  in  his  company.  His  body  was  taken  to  Connecticut 
and  buried  in  the  same  grave  with  that  of  his  son,  who  died  two 
days  later.  The  funeral  services  were  held  in  the  Baptist  church 
in  Putnam,  the  sermon  being  preached  by  W.  C.  Walker.  On 
December  3ist,  the  regiment  received  light  marching  orders. 
Next  day  the  order  was  given  for  the  three  companies  in  town 
to  fall  in,  and  they  did  so,  stacking  their  arms  in  front  of  head 
quarters.  Gen.  Averill  was  in  command  of  the  post.  Next,  the 
Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  cavalry  came  in  from  a  scout  up  the 
valley.  The  whole  cavalry  force  at  that  time  amounted  to  about 
three  thousand  men,  but  they  were  badly  broken  down,  men  and 
horses  having  suffered  greatly  in  the  valley,  for  lack  of  food  'and 
clothing.  At  that  time  Gen.  Averill  had  his  boots  stolen,  and 
his  feet  were  frozen.  His  good-humored  remark  was,  that  if  any 
one  needed  the  boots  more  than  he  did,  he  was  welcome  to 
them.  All  the  soldiers  were  loud  in  the  general's  praises.  He 
was  a  man  of  medium  size,  quick  in  his  movements,  and  of  fine 
appearance.  The  first  day  of  1864  was  an  exciting  one,  the 
rebels  being  expected,  though  they  failed  to  come.  At  night, 
the  Eighteenth  was  in  its  old  quarters,  in  town  and  camp.  On 
January  6th,  Company  H  was  ordered  from  camp,  to  do  duty  in 
the  town,  the  weather  being  cold,  with  some  snow.  Two  more 
scouting  parties  came  in,  after  a  skirmish  with  the  rebels,  and 
brought  in  one  prisoner. 

January  8th,  what  is  this  that  sounds  so  much  like  Yankee 
winter  music  ?  The  merry  sleigh  bells  !  But  what  sleighing  ! 
"  All  slush,  and  nothing  else  !"  "  It  does  very  well,  however, 
for  Virginia."  But  how  the  sight  and  sound  of  sleighs  and  bells 


190  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


made  the  boys  sigh  for  home  and  the  merry  sleighing  parties  of 
old  Windham  county.  The  Baltimore  train  was  quite  late,  on 
account  of  the  snow  which  was  about  four  inches  on  a  level. 

Sunday,  January  23d,  there  was  considerable  excitement,  be 
cause  William  Taylor,  Company  K,  fired  at  a  railroad  man, 
though  nothing  serious  came  of  it.  Gen.  Averill  had  been 
relieved  of  the  command  of  the  post,  and  a  Col.  Rogers  ap 
pointed  in  his  place.  In  the  meantime  the  men,  both  in  camp 
and  town,  made  the  most  of  the  situation,  and  enjoyed  them 
selves  as  best  they  could.  The  rations  were  of  excellent  quality, 
and  of  sufficient  quantity,  each  company  having  its  own  cook 
and  meals  served  at  regular  hours.  This  arrangement  gave  gen 
eral  satisfaction  and  gave  the  men  an  opportunity  to  display 
their  Yankee  ingenuity  in  trade,  and  to  supply  themselves  with 
many  luxuries,  in  exchange  for  coffee  and  sugar.  It  was  quite 
amusing  to  see  the  men  leaving  camp  with  their  haversacks  and 
pockets  loaded  with  articles  for  barter,  and  in  appearance  re 
sembling  Yankee  peddlers.  On  their  return  they  seemed  well 
pleased  with  their  success.  In  this  way  some  companies  raised 
quite  a  fund  to  draw  upon  for  extra  occasions.  The  citizens 
generally  were  well  satisfied  with  the  arrangement.  They  were 
generally  as  anxious  to  get  the  coffee  and  sugar,  as  the  soldiers 
were  to  obtain  butter,  eggs,  hams  and  milk,  which  was  an  im 
provement  on  Uncle  Sam's  rations. 

Another  matter  of  considerable  interest  was  the  establishment 
of  a  singing  school  in  town,  under  the  leadership  of  A.  C.  Green, 
Company  A,  in  which  the  citizens  were  invited  to  participate. 
Of  course  this  entertainment  attracted  the  Union  ladies,  who 
attended  in  respectable  numbers,  their  presence  and  singing 
adding  much  to  the  pleasure  of  the  school,  which  always  drew 
crowded  houses.  Green  was  well  supported  by  the  Hoveys, 
Kerr  and  Parker,  of  his  own  company,  Amesbury  of  Company 
B,  the  Jordans  of  Company  H  and  the  Prays  of  Company  K, 
and  other  members  of  the  regiment,  equally  interested  in  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  igi 


success  of  the  entertainment.  Instrumental  music  also  was  in 
troduced,  which  kept  the  ''choir  steady  on  the  key,"  and  gave  life 
and  zest  to  the  whole  affair.  Clergymen  and  their  wives,  and 
other  leading  citizens  lent  their  presence  and  influence.  The 
recollections  of  these  scenes  will  be  among  the  most  pleasant  in 
the  experiences  of  the  Eighteenth  in  Virginia. 

During  the  month  of  January,  1864,  recruits  arrived  almost 
weekly,  and  were  distributed  among  the  different  companies,  as 
they  were  needed  to  fill  up  the  quota.  Dr.  Holbrook  had  re 
turned  from  Libby  after  the  close  of  his  furlough,  and  the  regi 
ment  began  to  assume  more  of  its  former  appearance,  in  numbers, 
drill  and  efficiency.  Among  other  recruits,  came  a  new  chap 
lain,  Rev.  W.  C,  Walker,  of  Putnam,  Conn.  He  arrived  in  camp 
and  reported  to  Major  Peale's  headquarters  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  first  day  of  February,  and  was  assigned  temporarily  to  the 
surgeon's  quarters.  These  consisted  of  a  long  tent,  with  two 
apartments,  one  of  which  was  occupied  by  Surgeons  Holbrook 
and  Harrington,  the  other  by  the  hospital  steward,  Dick  Ripley. 
There  was  one  spare  bed,  and  here  the  new  chaplain  began  his 
new  life  "on  the  old  camp  ground."  The  weather  was  quite  cold 
and  for  the  first  few  nights  it  was  difficult  to  keep  off  the  shivers. 
However,  the  hardening  process  went  on  bravely,  and  the  new 
comer  began  to  accommodate  himself  to  the  situation.  The 
regiment  had  been  without  a  chaplain  for  more  than  ten  months, 
and  a  desire  had  been  frequently  expressed,  by  some  of  the  regi 
ment,  that  another  be  appointed;  hence  the  presence  of  this 
recruit  gave  very  general  satisfaction. 

It  was  evident,  however,  that  the  chaplain  had  never  studied 
the  tactics  very  thoroughly,  for  when  he  came  out  on  dress  pa 
rade,  for  the  first  time,  it  was  thought  by  some  that  he  would  be 
a  better  Walker,  than  a  marcher.  It  was  remarked,  however, 
that  the  chaplain  "talked  pretty  well,  and  would  become  popu 
lar,"  even  if  he  was  a  little  awkward  on  dress  parade. 

The  first  religious  service  was  held  in  a  soldier's  tent,  or  log 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


hut,  in  Company  D,  which  was  quite  large  and  convenient,  and 
it  was  crowded  while  many  stood  outside  to  hear.  It  was  a 
meeting  of  peculiar  interest.  Several  of  the  soldiers  prayed  with 
great  fervency,  thanking  the  Lord  that  he  had  sent  them  a 
"chaplain  to  care  for  their  souls."  They  seemed  to  take  special 
delight  in  singing,  which  was  heard  all  over  the  camp,  producing 
a  pleasing  impression.  On  February  3d  a  funeral  service  was 
held  in  the  open  air. 

On  February  6th  Maj.  Peale  ordered  a  large  board  tent  to  be 
erected  for  the  chaplain  in  which  religious  meetings  could  also 
be  held  evenings,  and  the  men  could  meet  in  the  daytime  to 
read,  sing,  and  write  letters  to  their  home  friends.  This  proved 
a  place  of  pleasant  resort,  and  seemed  to  be  highly  appreciated. 
Arrangements  had  been  made  to  furnish  the  regiment  with  read 
ing  matter,  consisting  of  the  home  papers,  viz.:  Norwich  Week 
ly  Courier,  Windham  County  Transcript,  Willimantic  Journal, 
Christian  Secretary,  New  York  Independent,  Boston  Recorder, 
and  other  papers  obtained  at  the  Christian  Commission  rooms  in 
Martinsburg.  These  were  distributed  regularly,  and  each  week 
the  men  received  the  local  news  from  home.  The  Christian 
Commission,  before  this,  had  done  excellent  work  in  the  regiment, 
its  agents  visiting  it  nearly  eve^y  week,  making  a  general  dis 
tribution  of  papers,  and  supplying  writing  materials  and  other 
much  needed  articles  for  the  use  and  comfort  of  the  soldiers. 
On  February  ;th  the  chaplain  preached  in  the  German  church 
in  Martinsburg,  a  large  number  of  the  men  being  allowed  to 
leave  camp  to  attend  the  service  with  the  companies  in  town. 
There  was  a  large  congregation,  chiefly  soldiers,  a  few  citizens 
being  present,  a  very  small  proportion  of  whom  were  women. 

The  camp  hospital  had  but  few  inmates  at  this  time,  the  regi 
ment  being  in  remarkably  good  health.  Those  who  were  ill 
were  furnished  with  pleasant  accommodations,  and  Surgeons 
Holbrook  and  Harrington  managed  this  department  to  the  gen 
eral  satisfaction,  "  We  could  not  have  better  care  if  at  home/' 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  193 


was  the  comment  of  an  invalid.  David  M.  Colvin  and  John  Har 
rington,  Companies  B  and  K,  had  the  care  of  the  sick  and  gave 
them  every  possible  attention.  A  short  religious  service  was 
held  every  evening,  which  was  conducted  by  the  chaplain. 

The  month  of    February    passed   very   pleasantly.      The  duty 
was  not  hard.      When  the  weather   and    grounds    would   permit, 
company  drill  in  the  forenoon,  and  battalion  drill  in  the  afternoon 
was  the  order  of  the  day.    In  these  disciplinary  exercises  the  regi 
ment  recovered  its  former  interest  and  pride  in    military  tactics, 
and  won  the  hearty  commendations  of  its  own  officers,  and  of  the 
brigade  inspectors.     There    was   one   alarm   during   the   month. 
The    rebels    had   robbed    a    passenger    train    a    few    miles  from 
Marti nsburg,  near  Duffield  Station,  on  the  morning  of   the  I2th, 
and  the    Eighteenth  was   sent  out  early   on  that  morning  on  the 
road  toward  Winchester — troops  being  dispatched  in  all  directions 
with  a  view  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  robbers,  but  they  escaped. 
The  Eighteenth,  however,  went    as  far  as  Winchester,  returning 
early  the  next  morning,  having  marched  forty-four  miles.    It  was 
a  tiresome  march.   This  was  their  first  visit  to  Winchester  since  the 
three  days'  fight  of  June   previous.      The  rebel  citizens  gave  the 
regiment  a  cool    reception,   and    they  were  glad    to  get  back  to 
Marti  nsburg.      On  Sunday,  the  14th,  the  chaplain  preached  in  the 
Methodist  Church.      The  men  in  camp  were  permitted  to  attend, 
in  company  with  those  of  the  regiment  in  the  town,  a  larger  num 
ber  of  citizens  being  present  than    at    the  church  on  the  Sunday 
preceding.      At  the  close  of  the  service   the  pastor  of  the  church 
thanked  the  chaplain  heartily  for  his  sermon,  and  invited  him  to 
come  again.      A  day    or  two  previous  Oliver  B.  Burnham,  Com 
pany     K,    accidentally    shot    himself    and    died  a    short    time 
afterwards.    His  remains  were  sent  to  Killingly,  Conn.,  where  his 
family  resided.      His  sad  death  produced  a  deep  impression.    He 
had  been  a  convert  at  the  recent  revival,  and  died  the  death  of  a 
Christian. 

On  the  1 6th  there  was  great  excitement  in  the  hospital  on  ac» 

25 


194  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


count  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  small-pox.  The  poor  soldier  who 
was  thus  afflicted  was  sent  to  the  small-pox  hospital  on  the  road 
to  Harper's  Ferry,  two  or  three  miles  away.  To  the  surprise  of 
all  the  disease  did  not  spread.  On  February  25th  two  companies 
went  out  on  a  scout  but  returned  in  the  evening,  making  the  camp 
jubilant  with  their  good  spirits.  On  the  2Qth  the  regiment  was 
mustered  for  pay.  For  several  days  following  the  weather  was 
very  disagreeable,  but  all  made  the  best  of  it,  and  enlivened  the 
time  with  an  occasional  "sham  snow  fight." 

March  6th  proved  our  last  Sabbath  in  Martinsburg  for  a  long 
time.  Had  preaching  in  the  old  court  house.  In  the  evening, 
while  a  religious  service  was  being  held  in  camp,  an  order  came 
to  move.  This  announcement  was  a  complete  surprise. 
There  was  not  much  sleep  in  camp  that  night,  and  at  day 
light  the  camp  was  fairly  in  a  blaze,  everything  that  would  burn 
being  destroyed.  The  scene  was  one  not  soon  to  be  forgotten, 
.Before  sunrise  the  order  came  to  "fall  in,"  and  all  things  being  in 
readiness  to  move,  the  regiment  was  marched  through  the  town 
to  the  depot,  and  stowed  away  in  box  cars  for  Harper's  Ferry. 
Companies  A  and  G  were  sent  on  to  Frederick  City,  Md.,  com 
panies  B  and  D  to  Monocacy  Junction,  and  Company  C  to  a 
place  near  Berlin  on  the,  Potomac.  The  remainder  of  the  regi 
ment  was  sent  to  Bolivar  Heights,  and  occupied  a  camp  just 
vacated  by  the  Thirty-fourth  Massachusetts  Volunteers.  It  was 
very  pleasant  thus  to  find  a  camp  all  in  readiness  for  occupation. 
The  officers  were  quartered  in  an  old  government  building,  except 
ing  Maj.  Peale,  who  had  his  headquarters  in  a  tent.  The  weath 
er  was  disagreeable  indeed,  alternating  from  rain  to  snow,  and 
with  high  winds.  Camp  fires  were  as  much  a  necessity  as  in  the 
dead  of  winter.  The  teamsters  had  to  go  a  long  distance  for 
wood,  and  all  in  all,  though  the  regiment  found  tents  in  readiness, 
the  men  soon  learned  their  change  had  not  been  for  the  better. 
They  bemoaned  their  warm  log  houses  at  Martinsburg,  which 
they  had  so  lately  reduced  to  ashes,  Of  course  there  was  gruni- 


Lieut.  &  Adj.    GEORGE  W.  BRADY. 


\  I' 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  195 


bling,  but  soldiers  are  permitted  to  grumble  so  long  as  they  obey 
orders.    Remained  here  twenty-one  days,  during  which  time  Capt. 
Spaulding,  with  a  portion  of  his  company,  returned  to  the  regiment 
from  Hagerstown,  Md.      The  captain  also  had  left  very  comfort 
able  quarters,  and  his  command  was   as  much  disturbed    by  the 
change  as  the  main  body  of  the  regiment.     However,  all  seemed 
in  good  spirits.   At  this  time  there  was  considerable  excitement, 
and  camp  rumors  in  great  variety  were  the  order  of  the  day.   The 
spring  campaign  was  about  to  open,  and  what  would  be  the  posi 
tion  of  affairs  the  next  day,  or  even    hour,    was  a    matter    of  ab 
sorbing  interest  to  every  soldier.      Constant   changes  were  going 
on,  troops  were  passing  every   day  on   the    Baltimore    and  Ohio 
railroad,  and  scouting  parties  were  sent  out  in  various  directions. 
The  Eighteenth  was  sent  over  London  Heights,  and  up    the  val 
ley  as  far  as   Snickersville  for    three   days,    but    they    found    no 
rebels  in  arms,  and  only  a  few  old  women,  who  were  in  the   habit 
of  harboring  and  feeding  Moseby's  cut-throats,  and  other   bands 
of  guerillas.      London  valley,  from  the  beginning  of  the  war,  was 
a  popular  resort  for  rebels,  and  from  this  point   were   started  nu 
merous  raids  into   the  Union  lines.      It    was  not  until  late  in  the 
war   that  Sheridan  succeeded  in   driving    them  out  of  the  valley. 
Had  this  been  done  before   far  less  injury   would    have    been  in 
flicted  on  the    Union   cause    in    the    vicinity  of    Harper's    Ferry 
during  the  war.      There  was  hardly  a  clay,  while    this   place    was 
occupied  by  Union  troops,  that  rebel  spies   or    scouts    were    not 
taking  a  view  of  the    situation    from    London    Heights.      Union 
soldiers  knew    they    were    being    watched    daily   by  men   within 
easy  musket  range,  and  they  hardly  ever  felt  safe  in  penetrating 
the  outskirts  of  the  place.      The    capture   of    the  rebel  spies  and 
cut-throats    was    a   thing    of    daily   occurrence.      Refugees    also 
were  constantly    coming    in  from    the    Shenandoah    valley.   The 
old  jail  on  the  island  was  full  of    prisoners  of  war,  and  the  upper 
story  of  the  Lock  wood  house,   on  the  heights  near  the  camp   of 
the   Eighteenth,  was  crowded  with  refugees.     Corporal  John  E, 


196  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Barrows,  Company  H,  had  charge  of  this  department  for  some 
time.  Many  of  these  men  had  a  sad  story  to  tell  of  the  oppres 
sion  and  outrages  of  the  Southern  confederacy. 

It  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  keep  pace  with  all  the  changes  in 
a  regiment  oi  soldier^  for  three  or  six  months,  there  are  so  many 

on  the  sick  list,  while  others  are  discharged  for  disability,   and 

&  -  * 

for  promotion  in  other  regiments,  and  some  desertions.  Dur 
ing  the  winter  and  spring  of  '63  and  '64  but  few  deaths  occurred, 
except  what  have  already  been  noted.  Of  Company  A,  William 
H.  Towne  died  March  28th  ;  Wallace  Fox,  Company  E,  died 
February  2d;  Julius  J.  Rood,  Company  K,  died  February  3d; 
Nathan  B.  Green,  Company  F,  died  February  24th;  Henry 
Apley,  Company  H,  died  January  Qth.  Fourteen  men  had  been 
discharged  for  disability  in  all  the  companies;  seventeen  had  been 
transferred  to  the  invalid  corps,  and  several  others  to  the  veteran 
reserve  corps.  As  evidence  of  the  good  material  of  which  the 
Eighteenth  was  composed,  from  fifteen  to  twenty  of  all  grades 
had  passed  a  rigid  examination  before  a  military  board  at  Wash 
ington  for  promotion  to  other  regiments  under  commissions. 
This  fact  was  considered  a  compliment  to  them  and  to  the 
regiment.  The  names  of  those  promoted  \till  appear  in  the 
roll  of  the  regiment  at  the  proper  time  and  place.  Most  of 
those  receiving  the  appointments  left  the  regiment  during  the 
months  of  February  and  March,  and  they  were  a  severe  loss 
which  could  hardly  be  afforded  at  this  time  as  so  many  of  the 
officers  were  still  in  Libby.  But  about  the  last  of  March  the 
welcome  news  was  received  that  a  portion  of  the  officers  were 
exchanged,  viz.:  Col.  Ely,  Lieut.  Col.  Nichols,  Capts.  George 
W.  Warner,  and  John  E.  WToodward  ;  Lieuts.  I.  N.  Kibbe,  John 
McGinnis,  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  Joseph  P.  Rockwell  and  others. 
This  news  created  considerable  interest  in  the  regiment,  the 
return  of  so  many  of  the  officers  to  their  respective  posts  of  duty, 
being  anticipated  with  great  pleasure,  and  as  a  hopeful  sign  of 
greater  efficiency  in  the  campaign  then  opening.  Col.  Ely,  as 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  197 


early  as  February,  had  made  his  escape  from  Libby  through  the 
famous  tunnel  or  "  Yankee  Wonder,"  as  the  rebels  called  it,  but 
he  had  been  recaptured,  and  on  account  of  the  failure  of  that 
effort,  it  was  a  very  agreeable  surprise  to  hear  of  his  release  and 
speedy  return  to  his  post  with  his  old  command. 


198  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT ' 


CHAPTER  IX. 


GOING    HOME    TO    VOTE. 


Every  day  the  regiment  had  some  new  cause  for  excitement. 
All  sorts  of  rumors  were  afloat,  when,  to  the  surprise  of  almost 
everybody,  the  order  came  on  the  28th  of  March  to  report  as 
soon  as  possible  at  Norwich,  Conn.  This  order  was  received 
with  shouts  of  joy.  The  prospect  of  going  home,  no  matter  for 
what  purpose,  was  cheering  enough,  and  produced  the  greatest 
excitement.  No  man  reported  at  sick  call  that  morning  unless 
he  was  forced  to  do  so,  going  home  being  the  best  treatment  for 
a  sick  soldier.  "Hurrah  for  Connecticut!"  4<  Hurrah  for  Gov 
ernor  Buckingham,"  and  "hurrah  for  everybody  in  the  land  of 
wooden  nutmegs,"  was  the  watchword  of  the  hour.  At  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  regiment  was  homeward  bound,  crowd 
ed  into  box  cars,  and  one  old  rickety  passenger  car  for  the  officers 
and  several  ladies,  wives  of  either  the  officers  or  soldiers.  It  took 
nearly  all  the  following  night  to  reach  Baltimore,  where  the  regi 
ment  arrived  at  four  o'clock  next  morning.  Some  of  the  men  jok 
ingly  declared  that  the  engineer  and  conductor  must  be  rebels, 
that  they  mistrusted  for  what  purpose  the  Eighteenth  were  being 
sent  home,  and  therefore  determined  on  delay  so  that  the  men 
should  not  reach  the  land  of  steady  habits  until  after  the  election. 
However  there  was  some  swearing  as  well  as  joking,  but  neither 
the  one  nor  the  other  put  more  speed  into  the  sleepy  engineer. 
Remained  in  Baltimore  about  four  hours;  after  breakfast  at  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  199 


Soldiers  Relief  marched  across  the  city  and  took  the  cars  for 
Philadelphia,  where  the  train  arrived  about  five  P.  M.  The  troops 
were  thirteen  hours  on  the  road.  This  record  surpassed  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  road  for  slowness.  At  the  same  rate  of  pro 
gress  it  was  thought  that  the  year  would  not  be  long  enough  in 
which  to  reach  Connecticut.  Marched  to  the  Cooper  Relief  As 
sociation  rooms,  where  there  was  a  bounteous  supper  in  waiting,  to 
which  full  justice  was  done  by  the  weary  and  hungry  soldiers. 
About  dark  crossed  to  the  Camden  and  Amboy  station,  and  took 
the  cars  for  New  York.  Arrived  there  next  morning,  about  one 
o'clock.  At  New  York  found  a  small  steamboat  in  waiting,  too 
small  by  far  to  accommodate  so  large  a  number  of  troops.  But 
the  men  "piled  in"  before  day-light.  There  was  scarcely  room  to 
step  without  putting  a  foot  on  somebody,  and  the  situation  was 
anything  but  comfortable.  In  the  meantime  a  northeast  storm 
set  in  with  great  fury,  and  withal  it  was  very  gloomy  and  cold. 
The  remarks  made  on  the  situation  were  not  complimentary  to 
railroad  accommodations  and  steamboat  companies,  as  there  was 
a  general  feeling  of  indignation  that  such  a  small  craft  should 
have  been  provided  to  convey  the  regiment  through  the  sound  to 
Norwich.  Luckily,  or  providentially,  the  plan  of  sending  the 
men  by  boat  was  abandoned,  as  the  storm  increased,  and  greatly 
to  the  delight  of  all  the  soldiers,  many  of  whom  seemed  to  think 
they  had  had  a  narrow  escape.  Accordingly  the  regiment  was 
transported  by  rail  to  New  Haven,  and  thence  set  out  at  9  A.  M: 
for  Norwich,  by  the  way  of  New  London,  the  storm  grow, 
ing  worse  and  worse.  At  the  Connecticut  River  were  detained 
about  three  hours  on  account  of  the  storm  and  a  strong  tide. 
The  ferry-boat  was  obliged  to  cross  thrice,  and  at  one  time  there 
appeared  to  be  great  danger  of  her  being  swept  out  into  the 
sound.  But  at  last  a  landing  was  effected,  and  in  a  short  time 
the  regiment  was  on  the  move  again,  arriving  in  Norwich 
about  twelve  o'clock  the  same  night.  Nearly  three  days  had 
been  consumed  on  the  way  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  Norwich. 


200  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Marched  at  once  to  Treadway's  Hall,  where  a  collation  was  in 
readiness,  and  that  part  of  the  regiment  »vho  had  not  already 
reached  their  homes  in  the  city  enjoyed  the  hospitality  of  Nor 
wich  friends,  which  was  very  acceptable  excepting  the  iloor 
mattresses;  but  these  seemed  easier  than  the  soft  side  of  a  pine 
board  or  the  ground  of  Virginia.  On  the  whole  it  was  a  joyful 
occasion.  The  next  day,  April  ist,  the  regiment  was  scattered 
through  New  London  and  Windham  Counties  enjoying  the  warm 
congratulations,  hospitality  and  love  of  friends.  The  next  three 
short  days,  were  spent  in  delightful  intercourse  with  old-time 
neighbors  and  friends. 

The  time  seemed  so  short  that  on  the  Sabbath  allusion  was 
made  almost  in  every  pulpit  in  Eastern  Connecticut  to  the  arrival 
of  the  Eighteenth  and  many  blessings  were  invoked  in  their 
behalf.  On  many  accounts  it  was  a  solemn  and  interesting  oc 
casion.  The  Eighteenth  had  come  home,  but  not  all  of  them. 
Many  had  slept  their  last  sleep,  and  their  remains  were  resting  in 
Southern  soil,  they  having  fallen  either  in  battle  or  by  disease. 
Others  were  still  prisoners  of  war,  literally  starving  to  death,  or 
suffering  from  rebel  hardships.  In  many  a  home  that  day 
there  was  weeping  for  the  hopelessly  absent.  The  widow 
sat  solitary  and  disconsolate.  The  arrival  of  the  Eighteenth  had 
awakened  only  painful  recollections  of  departed  hopes,  and  heart 
rending  losses  and  disappointments.  Children  mourned  for  their 
fathers,  and  loving  sisters  for  their  brothers.  There  was  only 
one  thing  that  afforded  sorrowing  ones  the  least  comfort.  They 
could  make  inquiries  of  the  living  and  learn  more  particulars  of 
their  lost  ones  from  lips  of  comrades  than  by  correspondence. 
On  the  whole,  it  was  a  day  of  conflicting  emotions  to  the  visitors 
themselves.  It  was  a  great  joy  to  be  with  their  families,  but 
in  a  few  days  separation  would  come  again  with  added  sadness. 
The  rough,  self-denying  life  of  a  soldier  had  taught  an  impressive 
lesson  of  the  priceless  value  of  home  comforts,  and  the  thought 
of  returning  again  to  a  life  of  comparative  want  and  barbarism 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  201 


was  exceedingly  painful  and  distressing;  nevertheless  it  must  be 
done.  The  cup  of  pleasure  pressed  to  their  lips  by  loving  hands 
would  soon  be  dashed  away.  The  country  still  needed  their 
services.  The  old  flag  must  be  defended  to  the  last.  The  power 
of  treason  at  home  and  Rebellion  in  the  South  must  be  broken. 
A  campaign  was  about  opening  which  would  in  all  probability 
decide  the  question  whether  the  cause  of  the  Union  should  live  or 
die.  The  government  at  Washington  expected  every  man,  every 
soldier,  to  do  his  whole  duty.  When  they  sent  the  Eighteenth 
home  on  the  28th  of  March  they  expected  it  to  serve  their  cause 
as  much  by  votes  as  could  possibly  be  done  by  arms  in  the 
field.  This  duty  done,  and  a  man  re-elected  to  fill  the  chair  of 
the  State  who  would  stand  manfully  by  the  general  government 
in  its  work  of  crushing  the  Rebellion,  the  soldier  must  return  to 
the  field  to  face  the  men  who  had  sworn  to  pull  down  the  stars 
and  stripes  and  place  in  their  stead  the  emblems  of  Secession. 
It  is  to  the  glory  of  the  Eighteenth  that  it  was  as  loyal  at  the  polls 
as  in  the  field.  Hence  it  never  did  a  better  deed  for  the  country's 
honor  and  perpetuity  than  on  rhe  4th  day  of  April,  1864,  when 
it  cast  nearly  its  entire  vote  for  William  A.  Buckingham  for 
Governor  of  the  State  of  Connecticut.  This  was  a  glorious  charge 
on  the  enemy  in  the  rear.  A  telling  victory  over  the  opposition 
to  a  holy  cause  at  home.  Three  cheers  for  the  paper  bullets  of 
the  Eighteenth  Connecticut. 

Monday,  April  4th,  1864,  was  an  earnest  working-day  with  the 
Eighteenth.  Before  twelve  that  night  the  wires  Hashed  the  joy 
ous  result  to  the  anxious  President  of  the  United  States.  William 
A.  Buckingham,  the  faithful  ally  of  the  government  in  its  struggle 
with  the  Rebellion,  re-elected  Governor  of  the  State  of  Connecti 
cut.  By  this  act  the  State  was  kept  true  and  faithful  to  the 
cause  of  the  Union  through  the  dark  and  terrible  days  of  1864, 
when  the  enemies  of  Lincoln's  administration  put  forth  their 
most  earnest  and  cruel  efforts  to  save  the  Confederacy  from  defeat 
and  failure.  The  adherence  of  Connecticut  to  the  President  had 


203  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


its  significance  and  power.  It  greatly  strengthened  the  courage 
of  the  Unionists,  both  citizens  and  soldiers,  and  was  the  pre 
cursor  of  the  re-election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  in  November 
following.  It  may  be  repeated,  the  Eighteenth  never  made  a 
better  fight  tor  the  Union  than  on  that  eventful  first  Monday  of 
April.  Every  such  victory  had  a  telling  and  disheartening  effect 
upon  the  disunionists  everywhere.  It  had  its  influence  on  England 
and  France  also,  in  preventing  their  recognition  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy.  This  work  being  accomplished  the  Eighteenth 
was  ready  to  return  to  the  front  and  measure  strength  with  armed 
rebels.  Having  smothered  the  fire  in  the  rear  they  could  meet 
with  more  courage  and  hope  the  fire  in  the  front.  In  making 
this  record  there  is  no  design,  however,  to  retlectupon  that  class 
of  persons  who  looked  upon  the  participation  of  the  Eighteenth 
in  the  election,  under  the  circumstances,  with  evident  disfavor  if 
not  with  alarm.  The  act  was  severely  criticised  in  their  favorite 
journals,  called  impolitic,  undemocratic,  misuse  of  political  power, 
squandering  the  public  money,  and  the  soldiers  were  alluded  to 
as  Lincoln's  hirelings.  Allowing  for  honest  differences  of  opin 
ion,  and  for  somethings  that  were  dishonest,  it  must  be  admitted 
that  the  end  secured  by  this  action  of  the  government  was  dis 
couraging  the  Rebellion  and  hence  justifiable  as  a  war  measure 
in  strengthening  the  hands  of  the  civil  and  military  power  of  the 
country.  It  was  strictly  an  act  of  self-defense,  the  State  at  that 
time  not  permitting  its  soldiers  to  vote  in  the  fields  and  hence 
was  perfectly  justifiable.  The  enemies  of  the  government  under 
stood  its  significance  and  effect,  and  hence  their  opposition. 
Looking  at  the  measure  from  a  present  stand-point  all  true 
friends  of  the  Union-  will  acknowledge  its  wisdom  and  necessity. 
They  can  afford  to  be  generous  toward  those  who  opposed  it,  and 
with  "Charity  for  all,  and  malice  toward  none,  pursue  the  right  as 
God  shall  give  them  the  sight  to  see." 

Wednesday,  April  6th,  was  another  day  of  intense  interest  and 
excitement  to  the  Eighteenth.     The    early   railroad   trains  from 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  203 


every  point    were  freighted  with  soldiers    and  their  friends  on 
their  way  to  Norwich. 

At  two  o'clock  P.  M.  the  Eighteenth  stood  once  more  in  line 
waiting  for  the  order  to  march.  The  city  was  crowded  with 
people  from  the  country,  and  the  city  turned  out  once  more  to 
give  the  Eighteenth  another  farewell.  The  Wauregan  presented 
a  lively  scene.  On  the  balcony  appeared  Governor  Buckingham, 
Col.  Ely  and  prominent  citizens.  The  presence  of  the  Governor, 
and  of  Col.  Ely,  who  had  just  been  released  from  Libby  prison, 
was  warmly  greeted  and  their  words  of  interest  and  welcome  were 
highly  applauded. 

After  this  review  the  regiment  marched  about  the  city  until 
about  three  P.  M.  when  it  halted  near  the  old  railroad  bridge,  and 
near  the  wharf,  where  a  steamboat  was  in  waiting  to  convey  the 
men  to  New  York  on  their  return  to  the  seat  of  war.  Here  friends 
flocked  around  to  tender  tearful  farewells,  and  good  wishes  for  a 
speedy  and  final  return. 

It  was  a  source  of  sorrow  and  regret  to  the  friends  of  the  regi 
ment  that  anything  should  occur  to  mar  the  tender  interest  of  the 
occasion.  Some  persons  took  it  upon  themselves  to  "treat"  a  few  of 
their  friends  in  the  regiment,  who  drank  to  excess,  and  created  con 
siderable  disturbance  while  the  regiment  was  in  the  act  of  going 
on  board  the  steamboat.  However,  at  four  o'clock  P.  M.  lines  were 
cast  off,  the  boat  swung  around  into  the  stream,  while  the 
air  was  filled  with  cheers  from  the  boys  and  the  crowds  of 
people  upon  the  wharves,  and  the  Eighteenth  was  off  again  for 
the  war.  It  was  a  solemn  moment.  Many  had  exchanged  the 
"last  farewells  on  earth."  As  long  as  the  boat  was  in  view 
crowds  stood  on  the  shores  gazing  with  swimming  eyes,  while  the 
sun-browned  men,  with  sad,  lingering  looks  crowded  the  upper 
deck  of  the  boat,  their  hearts  swelling  with  sorrow  at  the  painful 
parting.  Home  never  appeared  more  sweet  and  precious  than 
at  that  hour.  When  the  evening  shadows  fell  that  night  dear 
old  Connecticut  was  hid  from  the  eyes  of  an  anxious  company  of 


204  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


men,  and  from  some  of  them  forever.  After  the  fatigue  and  ex 
citement  of  the  day  rest  and  sleep  were  very  welcome.  The  boat 
made  a  fine  run  through  the  sound,  and  at  seven  o'clock  next  morn 
ing  she  touched  at  Jersey  City.  At  half-past  eight  o'clock  the 
train  was  on  the  move,  bearing  the  Eighteenth  on  toward  the  city 
of  "brotherly  love,"  where  it  arrived  about  noon.  In  Philadelphia 
refreshments  were  furnished  at  the  Cooper  Relief  Association. 
"We  never  had  a  better  dinner,"  was  the  comment  of  all.  The 
day  was  very  fine.  Good  air  and  fasting  brought  an  excellent 
appetite.  Left  Philadelphia  at  five  P.  M.  and  reached  Baltimore 
at  one  o'clock  A.  M.  Friday.  At  daylight  marched  through  the 
city  to  the  Washington  depot.  Remained  in  Baltimore  until 
Saturday  at  half-past  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  It  was  said  that  the 
waiting  was  on  account  of  the  lack  of  cars  for  transportation.  It 
was  a  tedious  hinderance.  "Got  off"  at  last  on  Saturday  about 
eleven  A.  M.  in  a  terrible  rain  storm,  which  increased  all  day  and 
the  following  night.  Arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  at  nine  P.  M.  The 
storm  was  so  violent  that  the  regiment  remained  in  their  "boxes"  all 
night.  It  was  a  sure  sign  of  proximity  to  rebeldom  when  soldiers 
were  compelled  to  ride  in  box  or  cattle  cars  without  straw  or 
anything  to  make  a  comfortable  bed.  The  railroads  made  enough 
out  of  the  government  to  have  furnished  better  accommodations 
for  transportation;  and  if  it  was  impossible  to  furnish  passenger 
cars  their  cattle-pens  might  have  been  more  endurable.  Sunday 
morning,  April  Qtli,  the  regiment  arrived  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
marched  up  to  their  old  camp  on  Bolivar  Heights  and  found  it 
occupied  by  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachusetts  Volunteers.  Were 
quartered  in  old  government  buildings  through  the  day  and  fol 
lowing  night.  Next  day  put  tents  on  the  south  side  of  or  in 
front  of  the  Lockwood  House.  A  fine  place  fora  camp  in  pleasant 
weather,  but  in  rain  was  dangerously  slippery  in  the  streets. 
The  Lockwood  House  was  used  for  headquarters.  The  largest 
east  room  was  assigned  to  the  chaplain  for  a  reading  and  writing- 
room,  and  for  public  worship.  The  Christian  Commission,  as 


Lieut.    ADAM  H.  LIHDSAY. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  205 


usual,  furnished  the  regiment  with  writing  material,  papers,  sing 
ing  books,  testaments  and  "comfort  bags."  Every  soldier  will 
know  what  "comfort  bags"  or  housewives  were,  and  the  mere  al 
lusion  to  them  will  awaken  many  pleasing  recollections  of  their 
camp  and  hospital  experiences.  These  were  made  of  different 
material  and  filled  with  a  variety  of  useful  articles  indispensable 
to  the  comfort  of  the  soldiers.  Hence  their  name  was  very  ap 
propriate,  their  contents  being  adapted  to  keep  alive  pleasant 
and  loving  thoughts  of  "home,  sweet  home."  It  was  said  that 
these  domestic  reticules  were  prepared  by  little  Northern  and 
Western  girls.  Whoever  suggested  the  idea  conferred  a  great 
favor  upon  every  soldier  who  received  one  of  these  comforts. 
The  recipient,  on  opening  his  bag,  would  be  filled  with  inexpress 
ible  delight  to  find  a  needle  case  and  pin-cushion  well  filled;  also 
thread,  woolen  yarn,  wax,  a  thimble  and  combs,  and  in  some  a 
letter  full  of  kind  words,  with  the  request  that  the  recipient  would 
send  a  reply  in  due  time.  It  was  afterward  found  that  some 
pretty  large  girls  had  a  hand  in  writing  a  fewr  of  these  letters, 
which  resulted  in  a  correspondence  of  life-long  interest  to  the 
parties  concerned  therein.  Most  of  these  letters  of  course 
came  from  little  girls  who  had  fathers  and  brothers  perhaps  in 
the  army,  or  who,  if  they  had  none,  wanted  to  do  something 
for  the  comfort  of  those  who  had.  It  was  a  common  thing  for 
the  soldiers  to  visit  their  chaplains  and  show  some  of  the  letters 
received  from  different  parts  of  the  country.  One  of  these  was 
too  good  to  be  read  merely  by  the  one  receiving  it.  It  was  sent 
to  one  of  the  home  papers  and  was  read  by  thousands  of  people, 
and  others  were  thereby  incited  to  go  and  do  likewise.  It  be 
longs  to  the  history  of  the  Eighteenth,  and  if  the  soldier  who 
received  it  is  now  living,  he  will  read  it  in  this  connection  with 
new  and  tender  interest. 

HOLLIDAYSBURG,  PA.,  January  i6th,  1864, 

DEAR  SOLDIER. — I  know  not  who  you  are,  yet  it  is  enough  for 
to  me  know  that  you  are  fighting  in   the  cause  of  pur  now  bleed- 


2o6  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


ing  country,  and  be  assured  that  you  are  often  thought  of  and 
prayed  for  by  the  good  people  at  home.  I  am  a  little  girl — a 
Sabbath  school  scholar.  On  last  Sunday  our  superintendent 
said  that  our  soldiers  stood  in  need  of  "housewifes,"  and  at  once 
little  brains  and  fingers  were  active  in  planning  and  working  for 
your  comfort.  I  attend  the  Lutheran  Sunday  school.  It  mat 
ters  but  little  what  church  we  belong  to  here  on  earth,  only  so 
that  we  are  good  Christians,  and  are  members  of  the  church  on 
high.  If  you  have  any  little  girls  at  home  I  hope  you  love  them, 
and  often  pray  for  them.  And  I  have  no  doubt  they  often  pray 
for  your  safety,  and  if  you  are  not  a  Christian  that  you  may  be 
come  one.  O,  dear  soldier,  love  Jesus  Christ,  and  then  if  you 
should  fall  in  battle  God  will  take  you  home  where  there  shall  be 
no  more  fighting,  suffering,  parting  or  death.  I  hope  before  long 
this  unfortunate  Avar  will  be  over,  and  our  dear  country  once 
more  united  and  happy,  and  all  you  soldiers  permitted  to  return 
home  to  your  dear  families,  and  the  rebels  taught  a  lesson  that 
may  be  alarming  to  them  so  long  as  the  world  stands.  Fight  on, 
brave  soldiers,  and  may  God  protect  you  all  from  danger.  I  hope 
this  "housewife"  may  prove  of  much  comfort  to  you.  Write  to 
me  and  let  me  know  if  you  love  Jesus,  the  sinner's  friend. 

LOUISE  S.  LEISERING. 

Our  location  was  very  pleasant,  the  scenery  in  every  direction 
being  the  finest  in  all  Maryland  and  Virginia.  To  an  admirer  of 
natural  phenomena,  the  whole,  view  from  Bolivar  presents  a  sub 
ject  for  profound  study  and  thought.  At  the  right  flows  the 
beautiful  Shenandoah,  ranging  along  the  Blue  Ridge  for  one  hun 
dred  miles,  and  forming  a  junction  with  the  Potomac,  with  Lou- 
don  Heights  frowning  on  the  one  side,  and  Maryland  Heights 
looking  down  with  awful  grandeur  on  the  other.  Directly  in 
front,  and  through  the  cleft  of  the  rocks,  there  is  a  fine  opening, 
revealing  a  variety  of  scenery,  grand  and  beautiful.  The  Potomac 
flows  on  with  increased  volume  and  power,  with  here  and  there 
terrible  precipices  hanging  in  fragments  over  it,  as  at  Sandy 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  207 


Hook  and  Point  of  Rocks,  and  then  in  the  distance  appear  the 
blue  horizon  and  patches  of  plain  country,  inviting;  one  from  the 
riot  and  tumult  roaring  around  to  participate  in  the  quiet  below. 
The  view  to  the  left  of  Bolivar,  along  side,  and  on  both  banks  of 
the  Potomac,  is  grand  and  imposing,  impressing  one  with  the 
truth  of  Jefferson's  declaration,  in  his  "Notes  on  Virginia,"  that 
this  whole  scene  "is  worth  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic."  Every 
day's  observation  reveals  some  new  object  to  interest  and  won 
der.  The  subterranean  passage,  supposed  to  lead  across  Bolivar 
at  a  point  nearly  a  mile  wide,  between  the  Potomac  and  the 
Shenandoah;  the  "table  rock,"  weighing  many  tons,  with  a  nearly 
Hat  surface,  containing  perhaps  one  hundred  square  feet;  the  old 
engine  house  near  the  junction,  and  the  house  up  the  Potomac 
in  Maryland  side,  both  of  "Old  John  Brown"  notoriety;  and  not 
least,  the  natural  scenery  of  Maryland  Heights  and  the  military 
defenses  of  the  place,  were  a  few  of  the  many  objects  of  interest 
and  thought  to  Yankee  soldiers.  The  officers  and  privates  of  the 
Eighteenth  were  very  busy  when  not  on  duty  in  examining  these 
several  places  of  natural  beauty  and  sublimity,  and  were  well  paid 
for  their  difficult  and  fatiguing  excursions.  The  more  an  intelli 
gent  soldier  studied  his  surroundings  in  such  a  place  the  more 
he  admired  his  country,  and  the  more  he  felt  that  these  grand  old 
mountains,  beautiful  rivers  and  rich  valleys  were  worth  fighting 
for  to  save  them  from  the  power  of  a  Confederacy  that  would 
wrest  them  from  the  domain  of  the  Union.  The  sight  of  such 
grandeur  gave  a  fresh  inspiration  to  the  cause  of  freedom.  To  the 
"tramp,  tramp"  of  men  keeping  step  to  the  music  of  the  Union, 
the  mountains  of  the  old  dominion  echoed: 

"From  every  mountain  side 

Let  freedom  ring." 

They  re-echoed  the  language  of  the  prophet  of  God:  "Let  every 
yoke  be  broken  and  the  oppressed  go  free,"  and  they  were  witness 
ing  the  glorious  fulfillment.  There  rang  out  on  every  breeze, 
from  rocks  and  rills,  from  woods  and  templed  hills, 

"Sweet   freedom's  song." 


208  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  "table  rock"  was  often  visited,  as  it  was  but  a  few  rods 
from  the  camp  of  the  Eighteenth.  The  citizens  had  wonderful 
stories  about  this  rock.  One  was  that  in  <;ye  olden  time"  a  dis 
tinguished  couple  in  the  first  families  in  Virginia  celebrated  their 
nuptials  on  the  rock;  and  it  was  said  that  while  Jefferson  was  pre 
paring  his  "Notes  on  Virginia"  he  visited  this  rock  and  sat  upon  it 
while  he  sketched  his  notes  of  the  place  and  its  surroundings. 
There  was  an  ancient  burying  place  near  by  often  frequented  for 
the  purpose  of  reading  the  curious  epitaphs  there  found.  On  the 
whole  it  was  hardly  possible  for  the  Eighteenth  to  spend  the 
same  number  of  days  in  any  one  place  so  well  calculated  to 
gratify  a  taste  for  things  curious,  good  and  beautiful  as  in  this. 
And  the  regiment  as  a  whole  enjoyed  and  expressed  its  delight 
with  the  situation. 

The  latter  part  of  the  month  of  April  was  spent  in  preparing 
for  the  spring  campaign.  It  was  the  general  impression  that  an 
early  movement  would  be  made  up  the  valley,  and  that  the 
Eighteenth  would  participate.  Accordingly  Maj.  Peale  and  Ad 
jutant  Culver  were  very  busy  in  work  of  preparation*  Company 
I,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Lilley,  had  been  sent  to  Falling 
Waters,  on  the  Potomac,  to  guard  that  point  against  the  incursions 
of  scouting  bands  of  the  enemy;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  26th 
of  April  Maj.  Peale  received  orders  to  move  early  the  next  day 
with  the  remaining  nine  companies.  Consequently  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  27th  the  Eighteenth  started  on  the  road  to  Martins- 
burg.  The  day  was  cloudy  and  chilly,  and  the  road  rough  and 
hilly  for  the  first  few  miles,  and  hence  progress  was  slow  and  dif 
ficult.  However,  it  was  a  change,  and  on  the  whole  the  day's 
march  was  a  lively  and  pleasant  one.  At  noon  the  "raw  recruits" 
were  quite  amused  at  the  novelty  of  eating  their  rations  for  the 
first  time  by  the  road-side.  It  did  not  take  them  long,  however, 
to  become  initiated  into  the  process  of  making  coffee,  and  break 
ing  and  splitting  rails  to  make  fires  for  culinary  purposes.  Of 
course  rations  relished  well  with  "minute  coffee"  to  men  who 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  209 


were  as  hungry  as  bears.  At  nightfall  the  regiment  had 
marched  twelve  or  fourteen  miles,  two-thirds  of  the  distance  from 
the  F*erry  to  Martinsburg.  In  the  mean  time  the  clouds  had 
passed  off  and  it  was  clear  and  cold.  Camped  for  the  night  in  a 
beautiful  wood-lot  at  the  right  of  the  road  near  the  house  of  Dr. 
Magruder.  The  doctor  and  his  wife  professed  to  be  friendly  to 
the  Union  cause,  while  their  two  daughters  gave  unmistakable 
signs  of  being  in  sympathy  with  Jeff  Davis,  whom  they  thought 
to  be  a  very  fine  man,  and  a  "heap  smarter  than  Abe  Lin 
coln."  However,  several  of  the  officers  were  "kept  over  night," 
and  furnished  with  good  beds,  supper  and  breakiast  free  of 
charge.  The  evening  was  spent  in  pleasant  conversation  on 
national  affairs,  Yankee  and  Southern  phrases,  and  in  singing. 
The  young  ladies  played  on  the  piano  and  sang  finely,  and 
among  others  sang  a  few  national  and  "secesh"  songs  with  fine 
effect.  Their  guests  left  early  the  next  morning  expressing  many 
thanks  for  their  pleasant  and  hospitable  entertainment,  and  prom 
ising  to  repeat  the  visit  at  the  earliest  date  possible.  Of  course 
acceptance  of  such  comfortable  quarters,  while  most  of  the  rank 
and  file  lay  out  of  doors  shivering  in  their  blankets,  was  not  very 
soldierly  and  perhaps  a  little  selfish;  however,  the  act  was  thought 
to  be  pardonable  as  Surgeon  Harrington  was  nearly  an  invalid 
and  the  new  chaplain  had  not  become  acclimated  or  accustomed 
to  "sleeping  out."  Arrived  in  Martinsburg  about  ten  o'clock 
A.  M.  on  the  28th,  and  went  into  camp  on  the  east  side  of  the 
town.  Here  it  was  ascertained  that  the  Eighteenth  was  to  join 
the  force  which  Gen.  Sigel  had  been  collecting  at  this  point  for 
a  forward  movement  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  The  day  was 
full  of  care  and  work,  both  on  the  part  of  the  officers  and  men. 
From  every  point  came  news  of  startling  interest.  It  was  evi 
dent  that  the  campaign  of  1864  would  be  earnest  and  decisive. 
The  enemy  everywhere  was  as  defiant  and  persistent  in  appear 
ance  as  ever;  Gen.  Hank's  ill  success  in  Texas  and  some  reverses 
to  thtr  Union  troop*  ut  other  points  having-  raised  the  expecta- 


2 ro  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT ~l 


tions  of  the  rebels,  and  their  papers  were  full  of  exaggerated  state 
ments  of  what  Gen.  Lee  and  other  rebel  comnnnclers  would  ac 
complish  toward  the  ultimate  defeat  of  the  plans  of  Gen.  Grant. 
A  united  and  simultaneous  forward  movement  was  expected.  The 
enemy  was  to  be  engaged  at  every  point  to  prevent  reinforce 
ments  being  sent  to  Lee  at  Richmond,  or  Johnson  in  Tennessee. 
Gen.  Sigel  was  to  approach  Richmond  in  the  rear,  and  detach  a 
portion  of  Lee's  army  from  the  defense  of  that  stronghold  of  the 
enemy.  The  magnitude  of  this  plan  was  not  fully  estimated  on 
account  of  the  small  force  at  Sigel's  command.  Up  to  this  time 
it  had  not  been  generally  known  that  another  advance  was  to  be 
made  toward  Richmond  by  the  way  of  the  valley,  and  many  of 
the  men,  remembering  their  unpleasant  experiences  of  the  pre 
vious  year  in  that  direction,  were  not  so  jubilant  and  confident  as 
they  would  have  been  under  other  circumstances.  It  seemed  to 
them  next  to  madness  to  think  of  sending  a  force  of  only  ten 
thousand  men,  all  told,  into  a  hostile  country,  with  every  advan 
tage  in  favor  of  the  rebels,  and  where  at  almost  any  point  a  force 
twice  or  three  times  as  large  as  their  own  could  be  thrown  against 
them,  and  that  too  when  they  were  a  long  way  from  their  base 
of  supplies  and  reinforcements.  Before  leaving  Martinsburg 
the  general  conviction,  among  those  who  were  acquainted  with 
previous  valley  movements,  was  that  Sigel's  force  was  altogether 
too  small  for  the  purposes  intended,  and  the  campaign  at  the 
start  was  considered  extremely  difficult  and  uncertain.  The  re 
mark  was  often  made:  "We  want  at  least  fifty  thousand  men  for 
such  a  campaign.  What  can  Gen.  Grant  be  thinking  of  to  send 
such  a  little  handful  of  men  on  such  a  hazardous  expedition?"  Most 
writers  on  the  late  civil  war  have  been  pleased  to  speak  of  the 
movements  of  Sigel  and  Hunter  as  "miserable  failures,"  as 
though  the  blame  of  not  accomplishing  all  that  was  intended  was 
to  be  ascribed  entirely  to  their  want  of  tact  or  bravery.  Now 
all  such  statements  show  either  culpable  ignorance  or  unpardon 
able  spite  on  the.part  of  th.e  writers,  The  valley  . campaign  ,ot. 


CONNECTICUT  VOL  VNTEERS.  ^ ti 


1864  was  not  a  miserable  failure,  but  on  the  other  hand,  consider 
ing  all  the  circumstances,  the  difficulties  encountered,  and  the  in 
adequate  means  to  counteract  them,  the  results  were  all  and 
more  than  those  best  acquainted  with  previous  valley  operations 
anticipated,  as  the  sequel  will  abundantly  prove.  The  writer  well 
remembers  a  conversation  about  this  time  which  indicates  that 
at  the  start  the  expectation  of  great  success  was  not  indulged 
generally  either  by  officers  or  privates. 

"Well,  what  is  it  now  ?"  "On  to  Richmond,"  was  the  reply.  "Re 
member  Winchester,"  said  another.  "We  shan't  get  farther  than 
Fisher's  Hill,"  remarked  another,  "for  a  thousand  men  at  that 
point  will  stop  our  whole  force."  But  another  more  hopeful  said: 
"Boys,  I  want  you  to  remember  that  we  are  going  to  fight  mit 
Sigel."  Others  thought  that  it  was  quite  as  important  to  have 
an  adequate  force  as  to  numbers,  as  to  have  a  competent  leader. 
However,  the  work  of  preparation  went  on,  and  every  one  seemed 
inclined  to  make  the  best  of  the  situation. 


212  EIGHTEENTH 


CHAPTER  X. 


ON     TO     RICHMOND. 


Friday,   April    28th,    were   early  on   the   move.     Joined   Gen. 
Sigel's  division  for  a  raid  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley;    or    as  one 
facetiously    remarks:  4<To   march  on  Richmond  with  six  or  eight 
thousand  men  and  attack  Lee  in  the  rear,  while  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  two  hundred  thousand  strong,  held  him  in  check  in  front." 
Maj.    Peale    and    Adjutant  Culver  were  early  in  the  saddle  and 
promptly  moved  the  Eighteenth  to  the  right  of  the  first  brigade. 
The  number  of  men   in    line,   about  five  hundred,  were  well  armed 
and  equipped,  with  a  few  exceptions.  Company  A  was  commanded 
by  Orderly  Kerr,  who  took  the  right  of  the  regiment.      He  was  a 
prompt,  energetic  officer,  of  Scotch  blood,  and  ready  for  any  move 
ment.  Sergeant  Murray  commanded  Company  F,  which  came  next 
in  order,  and  was  prompt  and  efficient.    Capt.  Joseph  Matthewson 
led  Company  D,    the    largest    in   the    regiment,    and    well    com 
manded.      Company    I  was  absent,   as   before    stated,  at  Falling 
Waters,  under  the  command   of   Lieut.    Lilley,    a   good    officer. 
Company  C,  color  bearers,    was  commanded  by  Lieut.  Hinckley. 
The  lieutenant  was   not  quite   so  finely  attired  as  some  others  of 
the  line,  but  no  officer  took  more  pride  in  his   command  than  he, 
and  the  commanding  officer   had  no  occasion    to   be   ashamed  of 
his  men.      Company    H    was    in  charge    of    William  Caruthers, 
an    efficient   officer.      The  other    companies    were    equally    well 
commanded,  including  Company  B  on  the  left,  under    command 


ncur  VOL  UNTnni<s.          2 1 3 


of  Capt.  Spaulding,  who  had  no  superior.      The  Eighteenth  was 
embarking  on   a  long  and   dangerous  expedition  with  only  a  few 
officers,  but   who,  it  is  only  just  to  say,  were  reliable  and  faithful. 
The  quartermaster's  and    commissary's    departments    were    well 
manned — Lieut.    N.    P.    Johnson    in   the  former,    and    Timothy 
Parker,  Company  A,  in  the  latter.      There  was  great  excitement 
when     the     regiment     marched     through     Martinsburg  on   that 
memorable  Friday  morning.      The  citizens,  including  the  blacks, 
crowded  the  sidewalks  and  cheered  heartily,   while    many  ladies 
waved  their  handkerchiefs  from  the  windows  of  their  houses.      A 
large  number  of  citizens  ran  out  into  the  streets  to  bid  their    sol 
dier   acquaintances  adieu,  and   many  a    "God  bless  you  !"  came 
from  the  lips  of  true  and  loyal  men.    These  friendly  regards  were 
appreciated  and  met  a  hearty  response  from   the  boys,  who  re 
turned  the  cheers  of  their  friends  with  a  will.      If  the  writer's 
memory  is  not  at  fault    a  few  of  the  men  stole  out  of  the  ranks 
to  pay  their  compliments    and   bid   more  delicate  adieus  to  fair 
friends,   who   greeted  them  with  smiles  of  recognition   and  ap 
probation.      The  day  was  lovely.      The  sun  shone  in  a  cloudless 
sky,  the  air  was  mild,  genial  and  exhilarating,  and    the  scene  one 
not  soon  to  be  forgotten.      As  the  troops  went    marching  on  in 
such   excellent   spirits,  everybody  seemed    pleased  and  hopeful, 
and  yet    there  were  deep  regrets  at   parting  with   warm   friends 
and  the  sad  thought  would  press  into  the  mind,    "When  shall  we 
meet  again."      The  Eighteenth  had   formed   many  warm  attach 
ments  the   previous  winter  in    Martinsburg,  and  the  parting  was 
a  sorrowful  one.      Just  in  the  edge  of  the  town  halted   for  a  short 
time  to  let  a  body  of  cavalry  pass,  who,  moreover,  created  a  little 
confusion  by  their  tardy  movement;  and  then    after  a  mile  or  two 
away  halted  again  in  a  fine  field  of  grass  or  clover,   in  which  the 
horses   seemed  quite  willing  to    tarry.      While    here   an  incident 
occurred  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road    more   amusing  to  the 
bystanders  than  profitable  to  one  of  the  parties  more  immediately 
concerned.      It  .seemed  that  a  cavalryman  was  bent  on  swapping 


2 1 4  EIGH  TEE  NTH  REGIMENT 


horses  with  a  farmer  of  rebel  proclivities,  or  at  least  on  capturing 
it.  This  man  was  well  known  to  Union  scouting  parties  and  had 
become  obnoxious  to  them.  Both  the  man  and  his  wife  ran  into 
the  lot  to  thwart  the  cavalryman's  design,  and  for  a  time  there 
was  a  spirited  race  to  decide  which  should  have  the  horse.  As 
the  line  moved  on  the  contest  was  not  decided,  though  the 
cavalryman  seemed  bound  to  win.  If  he  was  successful  it  is  prob 
able  that  he  consoled  the  old  people  with  a  "promise  to  pay"  at 
some  future  day.  Marched  only  about  eleven  miles  the  first  day, 
arriving  at  Bunker  Hill  about  sundown,  and  camped  near  a 
"run."  Found  the  macadamized  road  a  hard  way  to  travel,  and  a 
march  of  eleven  miles  far  enough  for  one  day.  Spent  two  nights 
at  this  place,  for  what  purpose  the  commanding  general  was  not 
questioned.  The  time  was  occupied  in  viewing  the  town,  which 
consisted  of  two  or  three  old  dilapidated  houses  and  a  sort  of  a 
mill.  The  Massachusetts  boys,  of  the  Thirty-Fourth  Regiment,  in 
the  second  brigade,  had  a  fine  opportunity  to  compare  this  F. 
F.  V.'s  Bunker  Hill  with  a  place  of  the  same  name  in  their 
own  State.  The  puns  and  jokes  on  the  Southern  Bunker  Hill 
were  numerous  and  ingenious.  The  "first  families"  in  Virginia 
might  give  Northern  names  to  their  lands  and  towns,  still  the 
opinion  was  that  it  would  be  some  time  before  they  could  com 
pete  with  the  "mud-sills  of  the  North"  in  building  houses  of  re 
spectable  appearance.  May  ist,  Sunday,  marched  to  Winchester, 
halting  at  noon  at  the  old  battle-ground  near  Summit  Point,  and 
remaining  about  an  hour.  In  the  mean  time  visited  the  grounds 
where  the  Eighteenth  made  its  gallant  fight  the  year  before.  Of 
course  the  boys  were  very  much  interested  in  recalling  the  scenes 
of  that  occasion,  and  pointing  out  the  places  where  its  most 
thrilling  incidents  occurred.  "Here  is  where  the  brave  Adjutant 
Porter  fell  and  was  buried;  also,  privates  Noyes,  Woodmancy, 
McCracken,  Baldwin,  Burnett,  Dilliber,  Tracy  and  others,  who 
fell  in  death  on  that  eventful  day,  June  i  5th,  1863,"  reflected  one. 
"Capt.  Bates  was  wounded  here,  Capt.  Bowen  there,"  and 


Lie-lit.    JOHN  T.  MAGIKKIS. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  215 


various  localities  were  pointed  out  where  different  soldiers  fell  or 
distinguished  themselves.  It  was  exceedingly  interesting  to  visit 
these  grounds — the  place  where  the  last  charge  was  made,  where 
there  were  hair-breadth  escapes,  the  place  of  the  surrender,  and 
to  recall  reminiscences  of  fallen  comrades.  Every  spot  seemed 
full  of  tender  recollections  of  the  past.  It  was  holy  ground,  be 
cause  of  the  blood  of  brothers  shed  there.  The  march  through 
Winchester  was  peculiarly  exciting.  There  was  quite  a  contrast 
between  their  present  circumstances  and  the  day  when  they 
marched  through  the  places  as  prisoners  of  war  subject  to  rebel 
ridicule  and  insult.  Now  they  came  as  victors,  Haunting  the 
beautiful  flag,  which  was  both  the  scorn  and  terror  of  the  traitors 
of  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  in  the  faces  of  their  former  contem- 
ners  and  revilers.  The  white  citizens  crowded  round,  many  of 
them  looking  cold  and  reserved,  and  at  only  one  or  two  points 
was  the  Union  flag  displayed,  or  cheers  given  for  the  Union 
army.  The  colored  people,  on  the  other  hand,  seemed  greatly 
delighted  to  see  the  Yankees  once  more,  and  gave  significant 
looks  and  signs  to  each  other  as  the  army  moved  on  through  the 
town.  Camped  that  night  about  two  miles  away,  near  the 
junction  of  the  Strasburg  and  Front  Royal  roads.  This  was  a 
part  of  the  old  battle-ground  of  the  Eighteenth  and  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Ohio  Volunteers  the  year  before. 
The  latter  was  now  camped  near  by,  and  was  reviewing  the 
ground  in  search  of  the  graves  of  their  fallen  comrades.  The 
body  of  one  was  found  to  be  only  partially  buried,  within  a  few 
rods  of  the  Eighteenth's  encampment,  and  the  company  to  which 
he  belonged  gathered  in  the  twilight  to  give  their  brother  a  de 
cent  soldier's  burial;  the  chaplain  of  the  Eighteenth  officiating, 
his  tent  being  within  two  or  three  rods  of  the  grave.  It  was  a 
solemn  and  impressive  occasion.  Contrary  to  all  expectation 
we  remained  here  eight  or  nine  days,  waiting  it  was  said  for 
wagons  and  supplies.  Nothing  of  special  interest  occurred.  The 
troops  were  drilled,  inspected  and  reviewed  nearly  every  day;": 


2 1 6  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


and  a  general  review  took  place  on  the  i8th  of  May  by  Gen. 
Sigel  and  his  staff,  and  the  army  was  then  ready  to  move  farther 
up  the  valley.  It  was  the  fault  of  some  one  that  it  was  not  ready 
before.  Gen.  Si^cl  was  called  slow. 

4  «-> 

The  week  in  camp  at  Winchester  passed  very  quickly.  The 
last  day  was  Sunday,  May  8th,  a  beautiful  day,  more  than  usually 
quiet  for  a  soldier's  life.  It  was  understood  the  army  was  to 
move  early  the  next  morning;  just  at  sunset  the  chaplain  of  the 
Eighteenth  held  a  religious  service  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  in  rear 
of  the  Eighteenth's  camp,  a  large  number  being  present  from 
other  regiments.  The  stillness  of  the  evening  hour  was  broken 
only  by  the  voice  of  song  by  hundreds  of  voices,  and  then  fol 
lowed  the  utterances  of  heartfelt  prayer  and  exhortation.  The 
most  earnest  attention  was  given,  and  many  a  soldier  united  in 
the  public  worship  of  the  Father  of  all  for  the  last  time.  The 
evening  of  that  day  was  unusually  quiet  and  solemn.  Many  a 
farewell  was  written  in  the  last  hours  of  that  Sabbath  to  loved 
ones  at  home.  On  Monday  morning  the  army  moved  slowly 
away,  the  Eighteenth  occupying  the  same  position  as  before. 
There  was  much  interest  manifested  in  this  march.  The  boys 
who  had  passed  over  this  road,  through  Newtown,  Middletown 
and  Cedar  Creek,  pointed  out  to  their  comrades  places  where 
interesting  incidents  occurred  when  they  marched  as  prisoners  of 
war.  One  thing,  of  special  note,  was  the  great  change  in  the  de 
portment  of  the  citizens.  The  people  who  met  these  soldiers 
the  year  before  with  taunts  and  threats,  were  now  very  quiet  and* 
undemonstrative.  In  fact  there  seemed  to  be  fewer  people  in  all 
the  places  which  were  passed.  The  men  had  either  been  forced 
into  the  rebel  army  or  had  run  away  in  the  mountains,  and  the 
women  were  not  fond  of  showing  themselves  to  the  hated  Yan 
kees.  Only  fe\v  looked  out  of  their  doors  and  windows  unless  it 
was  to  answer  the  loud  calls  of  some;  of  the  boys  for  water,  milk 
or  bread.  At  night  camped  very  near  Cedar  Creek,  some  fording 
the  stream  and  others  by  a  temporary  bridge,  as  the  rebels  had 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  217 


destroyed  the  old  one  in  order  to  delay  Sigel's  progress.  Passed 
through  Strasburgh,  the  most  squalid  looking  town  yet.  As  at 
Newtown  the  people  kept  out  of  sight,  not  seeming  to  relish  the 
presence  of  Yankees  with  muskets  in  their  hands  so  much 
as  they  did  when  passing  that  way  without  arms.  Soon 
Fisher's  Hill,  universally  dreaded  before  the  march  began,  came 
in  full  view.  This  place,  of  such  formidable  natural  defense, 
was  thoroughly  scanned  and  the  opinion  freely  expressed  that  the 
rebels  were  unwise  in  not  giving  Sigel  battle  at  this  point  where 
every  advantage  was  in  their  favor.  Passing  over  the  hill  halted 
for  an  hour  for  rations  and  rest.  Marched  about  twenty-five  miles 
that  day,  camping  at  night  at  Woodstock,  Arrived  in  the  midst 
of  a  heavy  shower  and  camped  in  a  wheat  field.  This  field  was 
fenced  on  three  sides  by  a  board  fence,  not  one  of  which  was. 
standing  in  five  minutes  after  stacking  arms.  Each  man  was 
anxious  to  have  a  board  tloor  to  sleep  on  that  night  instead  of 
the  mud  of  that  wheat  field,  and  one  could  not  blame  them.  On 
the  whole  everybody  was  made  quite  comfortable  for  the  night. 
Remained  here  for  two  or  three  days  and  it  was  the  general  re 
mark  that  Sigel  did  not  seem  much  in  a  hurry.  The  small  town 
of  Woodstock  was  visited  by  many  of  the  men  and  officers.  The 
name  sounded  home-like  to  that  portion  of  the  Eighteenth  en 
listed  from  Windham  County,  but  the  place  itself  bore  no  com 
parison  with  the  \Yoodstock  of  the  little  nutmeg  State.  Saturday, 
May  1 4th,  the  Eighteenth,  with  one  battery,  was  ordered  to  ad 
vance  on  Edinburg  to  the  support  of  Col.  Moore,  of  the  Twenty- 
Eighth  Ohio,  who  had  been  out  to  look  for  the  enemy  in  the 
direction  of  New  Market.  Toward  night  there  was  sharp  skir 
mishing  in  front,  showing  that  Col.  Moore  had  been  successful  in 
his  search.  The  firing  was  rapid  for  a  while  and  the  enemy  re 
treated.  In  the  mean  time  Maj.  Peale  was  in  readiness  to  move 
at  a  moment's  warning.  He  took  a  few  prisoners  at  this  point, 
one  of  whom  was  a  rebel  captain,  who  was  quite  reticent  and  dis 
posed  to  keep  his  own  counsels.  He  warned  the  major,  however, 


2 1 8  EIGHTEEN  TH  REGIMENT 


that  his  force  could  not  go  much  farther  without  encountering 
hot  resistance.  He  seemed  to  have  obtained  in  some  way  quite 
an  exact  statement  of  the  number  of  the  Union  forces,  and  the 
object  of  their  movements,  and  was  certain  that  our  small  force 
would  be  driven  back  in  a  day  or  two,  if  not  entirely  out  of  the 
valley.  The  regiment's  camp  was  about  one  mile  south  of  the 
town  on  a  commanding  position,  and  in  easy  supporting  distance 
of  the  battery  mentioned  above.  Found  the  people  here  of 
very  strong  rebel  sentiment,  who  seemed  to  share  the  rebel 
captain's  convictions  that  the  Yankees  would  "find  their  match" 
before  o;oin^  much  farther.  It  was  evident  there  would  soon  be 

e»          & 

more  lively  times  than  had  been  encountered.  They  came 
sooner  than  Gen.  Sigel  expected,  if  one  might  judge  by  the  dis 
position  of  his  forces,  for  on  that  night  his  main  force  was 
twenty  miles  in  the  rear  of  his  advance — a  great  mistake  or  a 
serious  accident.  During  the  night  Maj.  Feale  received  an  order 
to  move  in  great  haste  to  the  support  of  the  Twenty-Eighth  Ohio, 
Col.  Moore,  that  regiment  being  threatened  by  a  greatly  superior 
force.  Accordingly  by  daylight  the  Eighteenth  was  on  the  march 
and  advancing,  as  rapidly  as  possible  toward  the  threatened 
danger. 

The  following  is  the  official  account  of  that  day's  operations 
which  we  insert  entire: — 

HEADQUARTERS  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT  CONN.  VOLUNTEERS,  ( 
CAMP  NEAR  STRASHURG,  VA.,  May  2ist,  1864.  \ 
BRIGADIER  GENERAL  HORACE  J.  MORSE, 

ADJUTANT   GENERAL  STATE  OF  CONNECTICUT, 

HARTFORD,  CONN. 

GENERAL: — I  have  the  honor  to  represent  that  at  three  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  May  i5th  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volun 
teers,  then  on  picket  one  mile  south  of  Edinburg,  Va.,  and  six 
miles  in  advance  of  the  main  army  under  Sigel,  received  orders 
to  proceed  without  delay  to  New  Market,  Va.,  at  which  place  a 
cavalry  fight  had  occurred  the  previous  day,  and  which  was  then 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  219 


held  by  our  cavalry  and  a  small  body  of  infantry,  who  were 
seriously  threatened  by  the  enemy.  The  regiment,  consisting  of 
seven  companies,  Companies  F,  1  and  K  having  been  detailed 
under  Capt.  J.  H.  Morrison,  Company  I  at  signal  station,  marched 
without  breakfast,  and  in  a  drenching  storm,  reached  our  ad 
vanced  forces  about  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  distance  thus 
traveled  was  fifteen  miles.  At  this  moment  the  artillery 
discovered  the  position  and  designs  of  the  enemy  and  com 
menced  operations.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to  assist  in  the 
support  of  a  battery.  The  position  of  our  forces  was  on  a  hill 
northwest  of  New  Market,  and  distant  from  the  town  half  a  mile. 
The  enemy  soon  replied  to  our  batteries  from  a  wooded  eminence 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  south,  and  slightly  commanding  our  po 
sition.  After  an  hour's  cannonading  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
advance,  and  with  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Ohio  and 
First  Virginia  regiments  in  support  of  Snow's  Maryland  battery, 
formed  line  immediately  upon  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  the  Eigh 
teenth  constituting  the  right. 

We  here  awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  whose  skirmishers 
in  double  line  could  be  seen  issuing  from  the  woods  covering  his 
position.  The  artillery  duel  still  continued  with  considerable 
vigor,  and  the  enemy  shelled  our  line  with  great  accuracy,  al 
though  without  inflicting  any  considerable  damage.  Companies 
A  and  B  were  immediately  deployed,  and  descended  the  hill. 
Severe  skirmishing  shortly  ensued,  our  companies  retiring  very 
slowly.  At  this  time  Capt.  William  L.  Spaulding,  Company  B, 
was  mortally  wounded  in  the  abdomen  and  carried  to  the  rear. 

The  enemy,  in  three  strong  lines,  now  issued  from  the  woods 
and  charged  down  the  hill  at  double  quick,  his  skirmishers  also 
increasing  their  step  and  driving  ours  more  rapidly. 

It  was  at  this  time  decided  that  a  small  knoll,  some  two  hun 
dred  yards  to  the  rear,  would  afford  a  better  position,  especially 
for  the  artillery,  which  could  thereby  inflict  greater  damage  upon 
the  enemy,  who  would  be  forced  to  pass  over  an  eighth  of  a  mile 


220  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


of  nearly  level  ground  before  reaching  our  lines.  The  line  ac 
cordingly  marched  in  retreat.  The  new  position  of  the  regiment 
was  most  unfortunate  for  its  efficiency,  being  in  a  lane  backed  by 
barns  and  two  rows  of  fence.  A  continous  rain  of  five  days  had 
rendered  traveling  on  other  than  the  roads  extremely  difficult, 
and  the  men  stood  knee  deep  in  mud.  As  the  lane  was  entered 
by  the  flank,  so  nothing  but  a  flank  movement  could  extricate  the 
regiment  in  order.  Companies  A  and  B  were  now  strengthened 
by  Company  D,  leaving  only  four  companies  in  line,  in  all  some 
what  less  than  two  hundred  men. 

The  skirmishers  of  the  enemy  now  appeared  on  the  brow  of 
the  hill,  and  rapid  firing  ensued,  in  which  Capt.  J.  Matthewson, 
Company  D,  was  wounded,  as  also  several  men  of  his  company. 
As  our  skirmishers  retired  around  our  flank,  the  line  fired  several 
volleys,  when  it  being  apparent  that  the  line  of  the  enemy  greatly 
outnumbered  our  own,  and  that  further  stay  in  that  position  was 
worse  than  useless,  the  commanders  of  regiments  of  left  brigade 
gave  the  order  to  retreat,  which  movement  was  followed  by  the 
Eighteenth.  The  regiment,  marching  by  the  flank  at  a  double 
quick,  on  emerging  from  the  lane  found  itself  some  distance  in 
rear  of  the  retreating  line,  and  was  thereby  thrown  into  some 
confusion,  but  with  some  exceptions  the  men  were  rallied,  and 
were  reformed  with  the  rest  of  the  first  line  in  rear  of  the  second 
line  which  now  awaited  the  shock.  The  cannonading  was  at  this 
time  extremely  rapid,  the  rebels  shelling  our  position  with  great 
accuracy,  while  the  batteries  of  our  first  and  second  lines  poured 
grape  and  canister  into  their  infantry,  which  came  on  in  a  splendid 
line.  As  they  drew  near,  our  second  line  fired  and  charged, 
partially  checking  their  advance,  but  having  suffered  severely 
was  forced  to  retire.  For  the  same  reason  the  enemy  contented 
himself  with  sending  forward  strong  lines  of  skirmishers  to  harass 
our  now  retreating  force,  himself  advancing  very  slowly. 

Desultory  fighting  was  continued  for  three  hours  by  our  first 
and  second  lines  alternately,  when  two  fresh  regiments  arriving, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  221 

the  broken  forces  were  assembled  in  rear  of  them,  and  marched 
on  the  pike  to  the  north  bank  of  the  Shenandoah,  whence  it  con 
tinued  to  march  until  within  two  miles  of  Woodstock,  where  it 
halted  at  five  o'clock  A.  M.,  having  marched  nearly  thirty-five 
miles  in  twenty-six  hours,  in  addition  to  the  inarch  incident  to  its 
participation  in  the  action. 

The  whole  number  engaged  in  the  action  was  somewhat  less 
than  three  hundred  and  fifty  men.  I  am  happy  to  bear  testimony 
to  the  good  conduct  of  the  few  officers  of  the  regiment  present 
for  duty  and  to  the  efficient  aid  rendered  by  them  throughout 
the  action. 

The  death  of  Capt.  Spaulding  is  sincerely  regretted  by  us  all. 
He  was  a  good  officer,  and  stood  firm  in  the  brave  performance 
of  duty. 

1  am,  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  PEALE, 
Maj.  commanding  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers. 

J  <->  o 

It  is  beyond  question  that  the  Eighteenth  did  all  that  could  be 
expected  of  it,  under  the  circumstances,  and  the  number  of 
the  killed  and  wounded  shows  that  the  regiment  were  not  a  little 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  losing  about  one-fifth  of  their 
number  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  regiment  went  into 
the  battle  exhausted  by  a  forced  march  of  fifteen  miles,  a  part  of 
the  way  in  a  pouring  rain,  and  in  want  of  food.  True,  hard  tack 
was  issued  to  the  men  just  as  they  arrived  at  the  scene  pf  action, 
but  before  they  had  finished  their  coffee  they  were  ordered  into 
line  of  battle  in  the  woods  and  marched  thence  in  line  until  or 
dered  to  halt.  When  the  enemy  came  in  view  the  situation  was 
appalling.  The  Union  line  consisted  of  only  about  one  thousand 
two  hundred  men,  all  told,  while  the  enemy  numbered  seven  thou 
sand  men,  advancing  in  three  compact  lines  of  battle.  "Notwith 
standing  the  great  odds,  the  Union  line  fired  several  volleys,"  says 
Adjutant  E.  B.  Culver,  "when  finding  further  continuance  in  that 
position  worse  than  useless,  the  commanders  of  regiments  on 


222  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

left  of  brigade  gave  the  order  to  retreat,  a  movement  which  was 
followed  by  the  Eighteenth,  which  finding  itself  some  distance  in 
the  rear  of  the  retreating  line  was  thereby  thrown  into  slight 
confusion;  but  with  few  exceptions,  the  men  were  rallied  and  re 
formed  with  the  rest  of  the  first  line  in  the  rear  of  the  second  line, 
which  now  awaited  the  shock.  It  was  no  wonder  that  there  was 
some  confusion  in  the  retreat,  the  ground  being  in  a  horrible  con 
dition;  the  mud  so  deep  from  previous  rains  that  it  was  almost 
impossible  to  keep  in  line  when  no  hasty  movement  was  required. 
And  to  add  to  the  confusion  the  rain  began  to  pour  again  in 
torrents,  greatly  retarding  the  progress  of  the  army.  But  for 
three  hours  the  fighting  was  kept  up,  and  at  length  two  fresh 
regiments  arriving,  the  enemy  was  checked  and  the  whole  Union 
force  marched  slowly  in  retreat  to  the  north  bank  of  the  Shenan- 
doah."  One  incident  the  writer  well  remembers  while  the  Eigh 
teenth  was  falling  back.  At  one  point  the  men  rallied  around 
their  flags,  cheering  and  encouraging  one  another,  and  Sergeant 
Hillard,  of  Company  E,  cried  out  to  the  chaplain  as  he  rode  up: 
"Here,  chaplain,  is  the  old  flag  and  we  will  stick  to  it."  Lieut.  F. 
G.  Bixby,  of  Company  D,  coming  up  at  the  same  time  with  a 
squad  of  the  boys,  extended  warm  congratulations,  and  seemed 
not  at  all  disheartened  by  the  disasters  of  the  day.  Maj.  Peale 
and  Adjutant  Culver  did  all  in  their  power  to  encourage  their 
command,  and  keep  up  the  fight,  being  themselves  severely  ex 
posed  to  a  hot  fire  from  the  enemy  at  several  points.  The 
bravery  of  Capt.  J.  Matthewson,  of  Company  D,  is  specially  note 
worthy;  he  rallied  his  men  on  the  retreat  and  charged  with  a 
portion  of  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachusetts  of  the  second  line,  re 
ceiving  a  severe  wound  in  the  wrist. 

Maj.  Peale  bears  testimony  to  the  good  conduct  of  all  his  of 
ficers.  The  official  report  shows  that  some  of  the  best  men  of 
the  Eighteenth  were  killed  or  wounded  that  day.  Captl  William 
L.  Spaulding,  Company  B,  was  wounded  in  the  abdomen  early 
in  the  battle,  on  the  skirmish  line.  He  was  brave  to  a  fault, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  223 


standing  up  in  full  view  of  the  sharp  shooters  and  giving  orders 
to  his  men.  Members  of  his  company  entreated  him  to  take 
better  care  of  himself  and  not  make  himself  a  target  for  the 
enemy,  but  he  remained  at  his  post  and  fearlessly  gave  the  word 
of  command  until  he  fell,  exclaiming  "I  am  shot."  He  was  borne 
at  once  to  the  rear,  his  wound  was  pronounced  mortal  by  Sur 
geons  Holbrook  and  Harrington,  and  he  was  placed  in  an  ambu 
lance  in  care  of  a  comrade  and  the  chaplain.  The  ambulance 
moved  out  on  the  pike  to  the  rear,  and  was  then  ordered  toward 
Mount  Jackson.  But  it  had  proceeded  but  a  little  way  before 
Capt.  Spaulding  expired.  He  was  rational  almost  to  the  last,  and 
after  expressing  his  trust  in  the  Father  of  Mercies,  he  expressed 
some  anxiety  about  the  fate  of  the  day  by  inquiring:  "Chaplain, 
are  they  driving  us?"  He  was  told,  "I  hope  not."  They  were  his 
last  words. 

The  death  of  Capt.  Spaulding  was  a  great  loss  to  the  regiment, 
and  caused  deep  sorrow  in  his  company,  among  his  fellow  officers, 
and  the  regiment  generally.  After  the  death  of  Capt.  Spaulding, 
the  chaplain  returned  again  toward  the  front  to  find  the  whole 
army  in  full  retreat,  though  by  no  means  panic-stricken,  however. 
The  pike  was  crowded  with  cavalry,  ambulances  and  broken  in 
fantry,  and  not  a  few  who  were  wounded.  The  wounded  in  am 
bulances  were  being  conveyed  either  to  the  hospital,  an  old  church 
on  the  right  of  the  pike,  or  to  Mount  Jackson.  As  the  retreat 
continued  the  former  hospital  was  abandoned,  and  its  inmates 
were  sent  to  the  latter  place.  Most  of  the  wounded  of  the 
Eighteenth  were  saved  from  capture,  and  before  night  had 
reached  the  barracks  at  Mount  Jackson.  The  main  force  having 
reached  the  north  side  of  the  Shenandoah  the  enemy  appeared 
to  give  up  the  pursuit.  Gen.  Sigel,  however,  continued  his  re 
treat.  About  dark  nearly  all  the  wounded  were  placed  in  ambu 
lances  and  the  train  moved  on  slowly  toward  Edinburg,  where  it 
halted  about  midnight,  waiting  for  further  orders.  Corporal 
F.  H.  Converse,  Company  D,  barely  escaped  being  left,  a  fate 


224  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


that  he  avoided  only  by  his  own  almost  superhuman  exertions. 
He  was  severely  wounded  in  the  abdomen  and  forearm,  and  car 
ried  to  Mount  Jackson  where  his  wounds  were  dressed  as  well  as 
was  possible  under  the  circumstances.  He  \vas  almost  the  last 
to  leave  the  barracks.  The  chaplain  and  Surgeon  Harrington  in 
passing  through  the  barracks  after  nearly  all  the  wounded  had 
been  removed,  found  Converse  and  assured  him  that  he  would 
be  sent  for  soon,  while  they  passsed  into  other  rooms  to  see  if 
there  were  others  of  the  Eighteenth  still  in  the  barracks.  When 
they  returned,  Converse  was  missing.  In  the  meantime  he 
he  had  crawled  out  of  his  room  unassisted  to  the  road  side  and 
hailed  some  battery  men  just  passing,  who  allowed  him  to  get 
upon  one  of  the  boxes,'  and  in  this  way  he  rode  all  night  and  thus 
escaped  capture.  All  were  astonished  by  his  cheerful  endurance 
and  determination  not  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels.  But 
he  suffered  terribly,  and  is  yet  a  sufferer  from  the  terrible  wounds 
of  that  fatal  day.  The  march  that  night  was  slow  and  difficult. 
Camp  fires  blazed  along  the  way  lightning  up  the  country  for 
miles  around.  On  reaching  Edinburg,  a  halt  was  made  for 
some  time  on  account  of  the  delay  of  the  ambulance  train.  The 
officer  in  charge  declared  that  he  had  been  ordered  to  fall 
back  to  this  place,  and  could  not  move  further  without  special 
orders.  While  delayed  in  this  manner,  the  chaplain  rode  in 
several  directions  about  town  to  find  the  headquarters  of  the 
division.  At  the  same  time  he  came  upon  several  wounded  men 
on  foot,  who  had  walked  all  the  way  from  New  Market  and 
were  quite  exhausted.  Found  accommodations  in  an  ambulance 
for  them  with  Moses  Streeter,  of  Company  D,  as  driver,  or  in 
charge  of  the  wounded.  After  a  tedious  delay  the  train  moved 
on  again;  at  sunrise  reached  Woodstock,  and  when  two  miles 
farther  on  halted  for  rest  and  rations.  The  army  needed  both. 
For  nearly  thirty  hours  the  troops  had  been  constantly  on  the 
move,  marching  or  fighting,  and  the  exertions  followed  by  the 
disasters  of  the  day  had  produced  a  woful  looking  set  of  men. 


Lieut.    WILLIAM  CARUTHERS. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  225 


May  1 6th,  continued  the  retreat  through  the  day,  reaching 
Cedar  Creek  about  dark.  Camped  in  the  woods,  sleeping  on 
the  ground  without  covering.  The  men  were  so  much  exhausted 
they  thought  little  of  the  discomforts  of  the  situation.  May  igth, 
passed  over  the  creek  about  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  Company  I 
joining  the  regiment  here,  also  Companies  F  and  K,  which  had 
been  detailed  at  a  signal  station.  Marched  to  the  old  camp 
ground.  Found  the  ambulance  train  with  the  wounded  here. 
Gen,  Sigel  visited  each  ambulance  and  talked  encouragingly  to 
the  poor  fellows,  who  cheered  the  General  heartily  when  he  told 
them:  "Boys,  we  got  a  little  the  worst  of  it  this  time,  but  will  fight 
them  again."  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  a  squad  of  men 
were  detailed  to  bury  the  body  of  Capt.  Spaulding,  of  Company 
B,  with  military  honors.  The  service  took  place  under  a  tall  black 
walnut  tree  about  fifty  or  sixty  rods  east  of  the  camp,  the  chaplain 
officiating.  It  was  a  sorrowful  occasion.  Every  soldier  of  the 
Eighteenth  sincerely  mourned  the  loss  of  his  brave  and  fearless 
comrade  in  arms.  He  was  an  officer  of  great  promise.  He  en 
tered  the  service  from  Eastford,  August,  1862,  as  second  lieuten 
ant  in  Company  D,  and  soon  after  was  promoted  to  be  first  lieuten 
ant  of  the  same  company.  Two  years  previously  he  graduated 
at  the  Wesleyan  University,  Middle  town,  Conn.,  with  the  highest 
honors.  After  which  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Judge  Carpen 
ter  of  Danielsonville.  He  was  young,  of  excellent  character,  and 
indomitable  energy,  perseverance  and  resolution.  Although  some 
what  reserved,  he  made  many  fast  friends.  He  brought  into  the 
service  all  the  qualities  of  an  educated  gentleman  as  well  as  of  an 
heroic  patriot.  With  a  full  knowledge  of  the  dangers  of  war,  he 
deliberately  chose  what  he  considered  the  path  of  duty,  and  did 
not  murmur  when  face  to  face  with  its  fatal  consequences.  No 
man  in  the  public  service  loved  his  country  better  or  suffered 
with  more  cheerfulness  in  its  behalf  than  Capt.  William  L.  Spauld 
ing.  The  Eighteenth  remained  at  this  place  nine  days.  In  the 
mean  time  Gen.  Sigel  was  relieved  and  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter  took 


226  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


command.      An  event  of  more  interest  to  the  regiment  than  -this 
occurred  at  the  same  time. 

Col.  William  G.  Ely,  who  had  been  a  prisoner  since  June  i  5th, 
1863,  returned  to  his  regiment.  As  he  rode  into  camp  on  a 
noble  black  stallion,  there  was  a  good  deal  of  stir  among  the  boys, 
who  received  him  with,  loud  cheering  and  hearty  congratulations. 
The  colonel  made  a  happy  speech  which  was  well  received.  There 
returned  with  him  Capt.  Warner,  of  Company  G,  and  Lieuts.  I. 
N.  Kibbe,  of  Company  G,  J.  T.  McGinnis,  Company  E,  and  J.  P. 
Rockwell.  Capt.  Warner,  being  in  poor  health,  returned  to 
Martinsburg,  and  Lieut.  Kibbe  was  put  in  command  of  Company 
B,  Lieut.  Rockwell  of  Company  G,  and  Lieut.  McGinnis  of 
Company  E.  This  reinforcement  of  officers  seemed  to  inspire 
new  confidence.  It  was  not  without  regrets,  however,  that  the 
regiment  parted  with  Maj.  Peale  as  their  commander.  For  nearly 
a  year  he  had  been  with  them  on  familiar  and  friendly  terms  and 
they  had  regained  in  a  great  measure  the  drill  and  discipline  that 
distinguished  them  before  the  battle  of  New  Market. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


CHAPTER    XI. 


HUNTER  S    RAID BATTLE    OF    PIEDMONT. 


We  come  now  to  a  very  important  chapter  in  the  history  of  the 
Eighteenth,  where  Gen.  Hunter  was  ordered  to  retrieve  the  losses 
and  failures  of  Gen.  Sigel.  Accordingly  another  movement  up 
-the  valley  was  ordered  and  in  order  to  increase  the  speed  and  ef 
ficiency  of  his  army,  stringent  orders  were  issued  reducing  the 
amount  of  transportation  allowed  to  each  regiment  two-thirds, 
thus  allowing  to  each  regiment  one  eight-mule  team,  and  direct 
ing  regimental  commanders  to  send  to  the  rear  all  surplus  bag 
gage  belonging  to  the  officers  and  men  in  their  commands.  This 
order  left  the  officers  without  a  "change  of  linen,"  and  the  men 
lost  some  of  their  most  useful  articles  of  comfort.  Such  being  the 
case  no  one  could  doubt  but  that  the  regiment  was  under  "light 
marching  orders."  Fortunate,  indeed,  for  all  was  it  that  this 
proved  true,  for  the  next  thirty  days  were  days  that  "tried  men's 
souls,"  the  darkest  days  of  the  war.  On  May  27th,  Hunter's  army 
moved  early  on  its  way  up  the  valley.  Arrived  in  Woodstock, 
about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  remained  there  for  the 
night.  May  29th,  marched  to  near  New  Market  where  the  army 
rested  five  days.  In  the  mean  time  visited  the  old  battle-ground 
in  search  of  the  dead.  Found  that  the  rebels  had  very  carelessly 
buried  the  Union  dead,  while  their  own  had  been  carried 
to  a  cemetery  a  few  hundred  yards  distant  and  decently  buried 
with  head  and  foot-boards,  the  names  of  the  dead  being  printed 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


on  the  head-boards.  In  the  hospital  were  found  several  of  the 
wounded,  among  them  Hauerwas,  of  Company  C,  who  had  a  leg 
amputated.  It  was  thought  at  the  time  that  he  could  not  survive, 
but  he  eventually  recovered  and  in  due  time  was  taken  back  into 
the  Union  lines,  and  returned  to  his  family  in  Lebanon.  The 
band  of  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachusetts  serenaded  the  wounded 
while  here,  and  it  was  affecting  to  witness  the  emotions  and 
cheers  of  the  poor  fellows  who  had  suffered  so  much  from  their 
wounds  and  their  enemies.  It  should  be  said,  however,  to  the 
praise  of  the  good  women  in  New  Market,  that  many  comforts  were 
provided  for  the  sick  and  wounded,  even  at  the  risk  of  their  own 
comfort  if  not  their  lives.  June  2d,  on  the  march  again.  Passed 
through  New  Market  at  an  early  hour.  The  citizens  kept  quiet. 
Those  who  did  show  themselves  looked  angry  and  threatening. 
The  day  was  extremely  hot  and  the  men  fell  out  constantly. 
Whenever  a  spring  of  water  was  reached  they  rushed  pellmell 
toward  it,  thus  provoking  the  anger  of  their  officers.  Towards 
night,  heard  firing  in  front.  The  advance  had  overtaken  the  rebels, 
with  whom  they  were  exchanging  compliments.  Drew  near  to  Har- 
risonburg,  a  pleasant  little  town,  through  which  the  Union  cavalry 
drove  the  rebels  in  a  panic.  Camped  near  the  town  for  the 
night.  Remained  here  until  the  morning  of  June  4th.  Found 
a  large  number  of  rebel  sick  and  wounded  in  the  hospitals,  who 
seemed  anxious  to  be  paroled,  being  heartily  sick  of  the  war.  It 
was  evident  from  their  youthful  appearance  that  they  had  not 
been  long  in  the  service.  Perhaps  they  were  a  part  of  the  home 
guard,  and  had  been  forced  into  the  war  within  a  few  days  to 
impede  Hunter's  progress.  Found  none  of  the  Eighteenth 
wounded  here,  but  the  adjutant  of  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachu 
setts,  who  had  been  badly  wounded  in  the  shoulder  at  New 
Market.  Left  Harrisonburg  early  in  the  morning,  and  after 
marching  a  mile  or  two  left  the  pike  and  turned  off  to  the 
left  over  a  crooked,  rough,  hilly  road  leading  toward  Port  Repub 
lic.  Reached  a  branch  of  the  Shenandoah  early  in  the  afternoon. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


A  squad  of  Union  cavalry  had  forded  the  river  and  captured  a 
rebel  foraging  party  of  two  or  three  wagons.  The  river  was  so 
deep  that  it  was  necessary  to  lay  a  pontoon  bridge,  which  caused 
considerable  delay.  Gen.  Hunter  superintended  the  work  him 
self  and  seemed  much  annoyed  at  the  apparent  unnecessary 
delay.  While  the  troops  were  waiting  a  number  of  cavalrymen 
forded  the  stream,  as  much  for  their  own  amusement  as  anything. 
Two  or  three,  more  courageous  than  the  rest,  attempted  to  cross 
at  a  new  place,  where  the  water  was  so  deep  their  horses  had  to 
swim.  When  about  two-thirds  of  the  way  across,  one  of  them  was 
in  some  manner  unhorsed,  and  he  immediately  sank  to  the  bottom 
like  lead.  Thousands  of  men  were  looking  on  in  breathless 
silence  and  seemed  more  affected  than  they  would  have  been  to 
see  hundreds  of  their  comrades  shot  down  in  battle.  All  possible 
means  were  used  to  rescue  the  unfortunate  man.  In  less  than 
two  minutes  several  soldiers  stripped  themselves  and  plunged  into 
the  water,  and  swimming  to  the  spot  began  to  dive  for  the 
poor  fellow.  Again  and  again  this  act  was  repeated  by  different 
ones,  but  no  trace  of  the  drowned  man  could  be  discovered,  and 
at  last  the  attempt  was  given  up  in  despair.  About  that  time  the 
pontoon  bridge  was  completed,  and  the  army  began  to  pass  over. 
It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  the  Eighteenth  marched  over, 
and  here  they  suddenly  turned  to  the  right,  and  crossed  another 
stream,  which  had  a  very  rough,  stony  bed.  At  last  reached  the 
main  road,  when  it  was  quite  dark  and  rain  was  beginning  to  fall. 
Marched  about  two  miles  and  camped  in  a  dense  wood-lot,  the 
underbush  being  so  thick  it  was  impossible  to  move  along.  At 
length  halted  for  the  night  with  the  rain  pouring  down;  but  the 
tired  men  slept  soundly,  and  alas,  some  had  their  last  natural 
sleep  that  dreary  night. 

June  5th  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of  the  Eighteenth 
Connecticut.  After  a  miserable  night  rose  very  early  and  had 
breakfast  before  sunrise.  The  boys  were  unusually  thoughtful 
and  silent  as  though  startling  events  were  anticipated.  The  im- 


230  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


pression  prevailed  that  there  would  be  a  fight  soon,  if  not  on  that 
day,  and  Adjutant  E.  B.  Culver  remarked  to  Col.  Peale  that  he 
was  prepared  to  receive  his  d<  ath  wound  before  the  close  of  the 
day.  The  regiment  moved  out  of  the  wood  into  an  open  field 
and  halted  for  a  half  hour.  The  sun  was  just  rising  over  the  Blue 
Ridge  and  a  heavy  mist  hung  over  the  Shenandoah,  which  ran 
tranquilly  along  at  the  mountain  base.  For  an  hour  the  weather 
threatened  to  be  unpleasant.  In  the  mean  time  the  Eighteenth 
was  ordered  back  into  the  woods  and  marched  along  single  file 
for  a  considerable  distance,  the  undergrowth  being  very  thick  and 
a  serious  obstruction.  Progress  was  slow.  After  a  while  emerged 
into  an  opening  near  the  main  road  which  was  occupied  by  the 
artillery  and  the  trains."  The  infantry  were  marching  on  the  op 
posite  side  of  the  way.  This  order  of  movement  indicated  that 
Gen.  Hunter  was  suspicious  of  danger,  and  was  preparing  to 
protect  his  trains  from  a  sudden  dash  of  the  enemy's  cavalry. 
Had  not  proceeded  far  before  the  Eighteenth  was  formed  in  line 
ot  battle  and  marched  up  to  a  hill  heavily  wooded,  then  filed  to 
the  right  over  a  very  uneven  surface,  with  occassional  deep  gul 
lies,  almost  impassable  by  mounted  men.  A  short  distance  fur 
ther  on  passed  through  a  large  wheat  field,  formed  another  line 
of  battle,  charged  into  a  wood-lot  and  halted.  Here  Gen. 
Hunter  rode  down  the  line  and  said  a  few  words  to  the  differ 
ent  regiments.  The  writer  will  never  forget  the  deep  impres 
sion  the  speech  of  Gen.  Hunter  made  upon  the  regiment. 
It  was  the  most  solemn  moment  he  had  witnessed  since 
his  connection  with  the  service.  It  gave  one  to  understand 
that  there  was  earnest  work  to  be  done,  and  that  too  very  quickly. 
The  regiment  was  ordered  to  advance  again,  but  it  had  not  pro 
ceeded  far  before  rapid  firing  was  heard  at  the  front.  The  Union 
cavalry  had  met  the  enemy  in  its  attempt  to  check  the  movements 
of  Hunter;  charged  them  furiously  and  drove  them  back,  taking 
several  prisoners,  most  of  whom  were  wounded  and  in  a  pitiable 
plight.  Arriving  at  the  place  of  this  encounter  found  un- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  231 


mistakable  evidences  of  an  rapid  and  severe  hand  to  hand  fight. 
About  a  mile  in  advance  was  discovered  the  rebel  position.  Al 
ready  the  artillery  had  opened  on  the  Union  advance.  The 
smoke  of  their  guns  was  plainly  seen,  and  everything  indicated  a 
severe  and  speedy  conflict.  A  nearer  approach  to  the  enemy 
showed  the  great  advantages  of  their  position,  but  the  Union 
forces  steadily  and  firmly  advanced  in  line  of  battle,  and  presently 
were  within  range  of  the  enemy's  artillery,  which  kept  up  a  rapid 
fire,  though  their  shot  passed  over,  falling  a  short  distance  in  the 
rear,  filling  the  air  with  smoke  and  dust.  The  rebel  position  was 
in  the  form  of  a  semi-circle  as  it  proved,  with  a  strong  line  of 
skirmishers  in  advance,  occupying  the  brow  of  a  hill  thickly  set 
with  timber,  near  a  wheat  field.  In  this  position  the  rebel  skir 
mishers  were  concealed,  their  sharp-shooters  climbing  up  into  the 
trees,  prepared  to  pick  off  the  Union  officers  and  do  as  much  in 
jury  as  possible.  Both  sides  seemed  determined  to  fight  it  out 
at  all  hazards.  The  excitement  was  becoming  general  and  Gen. 
Hunter,  occupying  a  position  in  full  view,  watched  the  movements 
with  intense  interest. 

The  rebels,  as  usual,  had  the  advantage  of  position.  The  Union 
force  was  obliged  to  charge  over  a  long  space  in  an  open  field, 
under  a  brisk  artillery  fire,  and  then  over  a  run  into  another  open 
field  of  rising  ground,  then  through  a  field  of  wheat  on  a  side  hill, 
the  brow  of  which  was  skirted  by  a  strip  of  woodland,  affording 
a  good  shelter  from  the  fire  of  Union  guns.  Still  the  Eighteenth, 
which  had  the  right  of  Hunter's  line,  pressed  on  under  a  severe 
fire  of  shell  and  musketry  and  drove  the  rebel  skirmishers  rapidly 
before  them.  It  was  a  brilliant  charge.  While  nearing  the  enemy's 
lines  the  Eighteenth  seemed  to  be  more  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
fire  than  any  other  portion  of  the  line,  receiving  several  volleys 
of  musketry  which  rapidly  depleted  their  ranks,  but  did  not  in 
the  least  check  their  progress.  The  rebels  did  not  tarry  long 
after  reaching  the  top  of  the  hill,  but  continued  to  fall  back  over 
a  space  of  clearing,  about  five  hundred  yards  wide,  until  they 


232  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

reached  their  main  defenses  in  the  edge  of  another  wood-lot.  At 
first  the  Union  line  was  for  following  up  their  seeming  advantage, 
when  Col.  Ely,  being  mounted,  discovered  defenses  of  the  enemy 
and  cried,  halt.  It  was  apparent  that  the  enemy  had  chosen  a 
strong  line  of  defense,  and  it  was  necessary  to  proceed  with  the 
utmost  care  and  caution.  Hence  the  Union  line  fell  back  a  few 
rods  into  the  strip  of  woodland  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  from  which 
they  had  just  dislodged  the  enemy.  Up  to  this  time  the  loss  of 
the  Eighteenth  had  been  considerable.  Among  others  Adjutant 
E.  B.  Culver  fell  early  in  the  charge  mortally  wounded  in  the 
head  while  executing  a  special  order  of  his  commander.  Private 
J.  P.  Adams,  of  Company  D,  was  also  killed  instantly  by  a  musket 
ball  through  the  head.  Several  others  were  severely  wounded, 
both  in  rank  and  file.  Severe  skirmishing  continued  for  two 
hours.  In  the  mean  time  several  charges  were  made  upon  the 
whole  line  with  severe  loss  on  both  sides.  Previously,  however, 
a  German  New  York  brass  battery  of  two  guns,  twelve  pounders, 
was  brought  up  to  the  left  of  the  Eighteenth,  in  plain  view  of  the 
rebel  works,  and  it  did  execution  in  weakening  the  enemy's  line. 
This  battery  was  brought  up  at  the  suggestion  of  Col.  Ely,  who 
from  his  position  had  a  better  view  of  the  enemy's  position  than 
almost  any  other  officer  in  the  line.  At  the  suggestion  being  made 
to  Col.  Moore,  the  brigade  commander,  that  possibly  rebels  might 
be  lying  behind  some  rails  which  were  plainly  to  be  seen,  he  replied: 
"I  tink  dere  is  no  rebels  dere,"  but  after  one  or  two  well  directed 
shots,  which  sent  rails  and  rebels'  limbs  flying  alike  into  the  air, 
he  changed  his  opinion.  Every  successive  shot  told  with  great 
effect,  rendering  some  portions  of  the  rebel  position  untenable, 
and  giving  them  great  trouble.  In  the  mean  time,  Gen.  Hunter 
was  preparing  to  make  a  general  attack  from  all  sides.  He  sent 
a  force  by  a  circuitous  route  to  attack  the  enemy's  rear.  In  the 
mean  time,  it  was  necessary  to  keep  a  bold  front  and  the  charges 
before  referred  to  were  made,  in  which  the  Eighteenth  suffered 
severely.  There  was  a  knoll,  or  rising  ground,  about  half  way 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  233 


between  the  rebel  line  and  the  main  position  of  the  Eighteenth 
which  it  was  very  necessary  to  hold.  This  was  accomplished  by 
the  men  lying  on  their  faces.  It  was  a  terribly  close,  hot  place, 
and  here  the  regiment  suffered  its  greatest  losses.  While  the 
force  in  the  rear  was  coming  into  position  there  was  an  interval 
of  fearful  suspense.  The  German  battery  was  expecting  a  charge 
every  moment  from  the  line  it  so  much  annoyed,  and  to  all  it 
appeared  exceedingly  doubtful  what  would  be  the  final  result. 
But  at  length  the  signal  was  given,  the  left  of  the  line  began  to 
cheer,  then  the  right  and  center  moved  at  once  and  together 
upon  the  enemy's  works,  and  carried  them  in  a  few  moments. 
The  musketry  firing  was  awful,  while  the  rebels,  perceiving  they 
had  been  out-generaled,  broke  and  ran  in  great  confusion.  The 
victory  was  complete.  The  flank  movement  was  a  great  success, 
and  seemed  to  have  been  entirely  unexpected.  Fifteen  hundred 
rebels  threw  down  their  arms  and  surrendered  at  discretion,  and 
the  dead  and  wounded  were  lying  around  in  all  directions.  In 
this  sanguinary  and  successful  battle  it  is  but  just  to  say  that  the 
Eighteenth  behaved  splendidly,  and  did  a  noble  day's  work  for 
their  country.  In  the  official  report  Col.  Ely  says:  "The 
Eighteenth  Regiment  Connecticut  Volunteers  were  on  the  right 
of  Gen.  Hunter's  line  of  battle.  Its  colors  took  the  lead  in  the 
first  charge,  and  floated  defiantly  till  we  triumphed.  All  the 
color  guard  were  wounded  except  one,  our  banner  riddled  by 
minnie  balls  and  cannon  shot,  and  a  loss  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-seven  killed  and  wounded  tells  our  story.  Officers  and 
men  all  behaved  most  gallantly,  obeying  orders  with  alacrity, 
even  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight." 

When  the  first  charge  was  made  it  was  a  grand  sight  to  see 
the  whole  line  move  forward  so  steadily  and  confidently.  A 
captured  rebel  said:  "We  knew  you  Yankees  meant  fight  in  the 
morning  when  we  saw  you  advance  without  the  least  hesitancy 
or  confusion  under  our  artillery  fire.''  After  the  first  charge 
through  the  wheat  field,  the  drum  corps  was  sent  to  look  for  the 

30 


234  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


dead  and  wounded  and  they  came  upon  a  suspicious  looking  pile 
of  wheat  beside  a  large  stump.  There  was  the  appearance  of  a 
bundle  of  rags,  but  a  closer  examination  revealed  a  rebel  lieuten 
ant  who  had  secreted  himself  behind  the  stump  and  covered 
himself  as  well  as  he  could  with  the  growing  wheat.  Upon  being 
discovered  he  instantly  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  seemed  greatly 
confused  and  ashamed  when  Judson  Gager,  of  the  drum  corps, 
commanded  him  to  surrender,  and  took  from  him  his  sword  and 
pistol,  then  marching  him  off  to  the  hospital.  It  is  unnecessary 
to  add  that  the  drum  corps  was  not  a  little  proud  of  their  rebel 
prize.  In  another  part  of  the  field,  a  wounded  rebel  was  found 
sitting  under  a  tree  deeply  affected  by  the  kindness  of  his  captors! 
He  said:  "I  did  not  expect  such  kindness  as  this,"  and  similar  ex 
pressions  fell  from  his  dying  lips.  He  said  that  the  rebel  Gen; 
"Bill  Jones"  told  them  that  morning  they  might  as  well  die  fight 
ing,  for  if  they  surrendered  the  Yankees  would  surely  kill  every 
one  of  them.  Hence  the  surprise  and  gratitude  of  this  prisoner 
at  his  kind  treatment  by  his  Northern  brethren.  The  prisoners, 
generally,  were  agreeably  disappointed  at  the  manner  of  the 
Northern  soldiers,  and  many  of  them  expressed  themselves  as 
heartily  sick  of  the  war.  An  exceedingly  critical  time  in  the 
battle  was  the  period  when  the  Eighteenth  held  the  rising  ground 
between  the  two  lines  of  the  opposing  forces.  Col.  Moore,  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Eighth  Ohio,  had  suggested  they  had 
better  retreat  to  the  woods  or  they  would  be  compelled  to  do  so 
by  rebel  numbers,  but  Col.  Ely  and  Maj.  Peale  insisted  on  hold 
ing  their  position,  urging  that  if  they  did  fall  back  the  movement 
would  be  extremely  dangerous  and  might  cause  the  loss  of  the 
battle.  Both  these  officers  deserve  highest  credit  for  their  reso 
lute  courage  and  for  the  inspiration  they  gave  their  men  at  such 
a  critical  junction. 

At  about  this  time,  E.  F.  Bickford,  Company  D,  color  guard, 
was  severely  wounded  and  fell,  and  the  "old  Hag"  went  to  the 
ground;  but  at  the  same  moment  Charles  Lynch,  Company  C 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  235 


who  had  had  his  gun  stock  shot  off,  instantly  caught  up  the  ban 
ner  and  raised  it  to  its  proper  position.  Subsequently  he  ex 
changed  the  Hag  for  a  musket  and  resumed  the  fight. 

Soon  after  the  German  battery  had  reached  position  the  reb 
els  raised  a  black  Hag  with  a  single  star  on  it,  which  the  Germans 
looked  upon  as  a  very  fine  target.  After  one  shot,  which  seemed 
to  strike  near  the  murderous  ensign,  it  suddenly  disappeared  and 
was  seen  no  more.  A  captured  rebel  said:  "If  it  had  not  been 
for  that  "Dutch1'  battery  we  should  have  whipped  you." 

At  one  point  of  the  battle  the  rebel  rifie  pits  needed  reinforce 
ments,  and  a  rebel  officer,  riding  a  fine  looking  black  horse, 
attempted  to  furnish  them.  He  started  with  a  squad  of  men,  but 
had  not  proceeded  far  before  a  well  directed  shot  from  the  battery 
fell  among  them  and  the  men  fled  in  every  direction.  The  rebel 
officer,  however,  was  full  of  the  spirit  of  defiance,  as  riding  out  in 
full  view,  he  turned  his  face  toward  the  Yankees  and  seemed 
perfectly  at  ease.  But  it  was  not  long  before  he  was  seen  to  fall 
from  his  horse  and  there  were  at  least  eighteen  men  in  the  Eights 
eenth  Connecticut  who  claimed  the  honor  of  shooting  him. 

o 

A  captured  rebel  said  they  had  no  doubt  in  the  morning.but 
that  the  Yankees  would  be  driven  back  and  perhaps  most  of 
them  captured.  The  situation  was  not  favorable  for  a  retreat 
they  well  knew,  and  it  was  this  fact  that  made  the  Union  troops 
fight  with  such  desperation.  They  knew  they  must  gain  a  vic 
tory  as  defeat  would  be  their  ruin. 

Most  of  the  prisoners  taken  seemed  surprised  that  they  were 
treated  so  kindly  by  the  hated  Yankees.  Some  expressed  a  wish 
to  have  no  more  to  do  with  the  war,  but  others  were  sullen  and 
not  inclined  to  be  talkative  about  the  situation.  Among  these 
was  a  lieutenant  colonel,  who  lay  on  the  ground  near  the  hospit 
al  in  sullen  mood.  He  was  a  fine  looking  man,  and  received 
every  possible  attention. 

Gen.  "Bill  Jones,"  who  commanded  the  rebels,  was  instantly 
killed,  having  been  hit  over  the  eye  by  a  Minnie-ball.  This 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


must  have  been  in  the  last  charge,  as  the  retreating  rebels  were 
in  such  haste  they  could  not  take  his  body  with  them.  It  was 
found  by  members  of  the  Eighteenth  a  few  rods  from  the  rebel 
line  in  the  woods.  In  a  few  moments  every  button  on  his  coat 
was  cut  off  for  relics.  The  death  of  Jones,  it  was  thought,  hast 
ened  the  defeat  and  retreat  of  the  rebels.  He  was  a  noble 
looking  man  and  no  doubt  a  brave  soldier. 

The  Union  men  could  not  restrain  their  shouts  of  joy  at  their 
victory,  and  the  Eighteenth,  especially,  were  exceedingly  jubilant. 
It  was  their  first  victory.  They  had  wiped  out  New  Market  ef 
fectually,  though  not  without  severe  loss.  It  was  both  a  time 
of  joy  and  sadness,  as  the  official  report  shows  how  terri 
bly  the  regiment  suffered.  Nearly  one-third  of  their  number 
were  among  the  killed  and  wounded,  and  it  is  not  saying  too 
much  that  these  were  among  the  most  brave  and  faithful  com 
rades,  whose  example  was  always  inspiriting  and  encouraging. 

Maj.  Peale  had  been  ordered  in  the  morning,  about  five  o'clock, 
with  Companies  A  and  B,  and  two  companies  of  the  New  York 
Fifth  heavy  artillery,  to  follow  closely  on  the  track  of  the  cavalry 
sent  in  advance  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy.  These 
companies  had  to  start  off  before  they  had  breakfasted,  and  they 
found  but  little  time  for  eating  before  the  enemy  began  to  feed 
them  with  shot  and  shell.  The  men  found  more  hot  work  than 
hot  coffee  that  morning.  But  not  a  man  flinched  from  duty  or 
left  his  post  unless  wounded.  Company  A  had  many  hair 
breadth  escapes,  especially  after  the  general  charge  before  re 
ferred  to,  which  drove  the  rebels  from  their  first  position.  In 
feeling  the  left  of  the  enemy's  line,  to  ascertain  its  strength,  there 
was  sharp  practice  on  both  sides.  It  was  by  this  movement  that 
the  rebel  position  was  more  fully  discovered  and  reported  by  Maj. 
Peale  to  Col.  Moore  and  Col.  Ely. 

A  complete  record  would  reveal  many  narrow  and  wonderful 
escapes  from  death  during  the  day.  1  hat  part  of  the  line  occu 
pied  by  the  Eighteenth  was  very  much  exposed  from  the' first, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  237 


the  extreme  right  and  advance  being  on  the  skirmish  line,  as  be 
fore  stated,  consisting  of  Companies  A  and  B,  together  with  two 
companies  of  the  New  York  Fifth  heavy  artillery,  under  com 
mand  of  Maj.  Peale,  who  had  orders  to  hold  the  position  taken 
at  all  hazards.  This  line  was  so  near  the  enemy  that  their 
works  were  plainly  seen,  and  the  orders  of  the  rebel  officers  at 
times  were  heard.  Some  very  sharp  shooting  was  done,  and 
both  sides  suffered  severely.  Col.  Ely  had  his  horse  shot  under 
him,  and  had  a  very  narrow  escape  himself  from  death. 

A  farm  house,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  batttle-field,  was  taken 
possession  of  for  one  hospital,  and  another  was  selected  a  mile  to 
the  rear  of  this.  Both  were  literally  crowded  with  the  wounded, 
and  the  door  yard  of  the  first  named  was  thronged  with  wounded 
men.  The  first  man  carried  to  the  rear  was  Adjutant  E.  B. 
Culver.  He  was  mortally  wounded,  as  before  stated  in  the  first 
charge,  by  a  bullet  in  the  head;  the  injury  rendering  him  sense 
less  from  the  first.  He  fell  directly  under  Maj.  Peale's  horse. 
At  the  same  time  the  major  caught  the  adjutant's  horse  by  the 
bridle  and  prevented  his  escaping,  the  steed  being  excited  by  the 
fall  of  his  rider.  The  horse  was  given  in  charge  of  an  orderly 
who  took  it  to  the  rear,  and  as  soon  as  possible  the  major  went 
to  the  aid  of  Culver.  He  could  not  do  so  at  once  as  the  regi 
ment  was  in  the  act  of  charging,  and  required  the  presence  of 
every  officer  in  his  place.  The  wounded  officer  was  conveyed  to 
the  rear  and  laid  under  the  shade  of  a  tree  near  the  road,  where 
a  surgeon  of  an  Ohio  regiment,  Dr.  Harrington  of  the  Eight 
eenth,  and  the  chaplain  soon  found  him.  Everything  that  was 
possible,  was  done  for  him.  He  was  placed  on  a  stretcher  and 
conveyed  to  the  nearest  hospital,  and  there  he  died  the  following 
night,  not  having  regained  consciousness  after  his  hurt.  Adju 
tant  Culver  was  sincerely  mourned  by  the  whole  regiment,  espec 
ially  by  the  officers  of  the  staff  who  knew  him  best.  He  enlisted 
from  Norwich,  Conn.,  quitting  a  fine  situation  in  the  drug  store 
of  Lee  £  Osgood,  by  whom  he  was  held  in  high  esteem  on  ac- 


2*8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


count  of  his  intelligence  and  fidelity.  He  was  assured  when  he 
enlisted  that  if  he  returned  from  the  war  he  could  have  his  old 
position  if  he  desired  it.  He  carried  into  the  service  of  his 
country  all  the  qualities  of  a  scholar,  gentleman  and  a  good 
soldier.  He  was  a  superior  officer,  prompt,  energetic,  obedient, 
brave  and  faithful.  He  shrank  from  no  duties,  and  shunned  no 
dangers.  He  went  into  an  action  prepared  and  determined  to 
do  his  whole  duty.  He  was  a  general  favorite.  His  deport 
ment  was  such  as  to  elicit  the  respect  and  praise  of  the  privates, 
as  well  as  his  superiors  in  rank,  and  it  was  a  pleasure  to  witness 
his  soldierly  bearing  at  dress  parade.  Every  man  in  the  regi 
ment  loved  him  and  was  proud  of  him.  His  loss  was  deeply  felt 
and  regretted.  Both  Col.  Ely  and  Maj.  Peale  felt  that  his  loss 
was  almost  irreparable,  and  this  conviction  was  shared  in  by  all 
their  fellow  officers  of  the  staff  and  line.  His  remains  were 
buried  near  the  hospital,  his  grave  marked,  and  the  following 
week  his  remains  were  removed  and  buried  in  his  native  town  in 
New  York  state. 

Lieut.  McGinnis,  Company  E,  was  shot  through  the  head 
late  in  the  fight,  and  died  the  same  evening.  The  following  rec 
ord  has  been  furnished  by  a  friend,  which  is  here  inserted  entire: 
John  T.  McGinnis  was  born  in  Stamford,  Conn.,  September  25th, 
1825.  With  only  the  advantages  of  a  common  school  education 
he  learned  the  trade  of  a  printer,  and  was  for  some  time  engaged 
in  the  New  York  Herald  office  as  foreman,  and  afterwards  as 
compiler  and  proof  reader.  Most  of  his  life  was  spent  in  this 
way  until  1849,  when  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business.  At 
the  first  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion  he  wished  to  enter  the  field  at 
once,  but  was  prevented  by  the  persuasions  of  his  family.  When 
the  President  made  his  call  for  'three  hundred  thousand  more,' 
he  said:  'My  country  is  in  great  danger;  I  am  going  now.'  He 
immediately  commenced  recruiting  for  the  Eighteenth  Regi 
ment  Connecticut  Volunteers.  With  noble  modesty  he  declined 
any  position  of  honor  until  he  should  have  earned  it.  On  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  239 


1 8th  of  August,  1862,  he  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  of 
Company  E,  Eighteenth  Regiment.  While  stationed  at  Perry- 
ville,  Md.,  he  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  December  26th, 
1862.  Although  not  called  immediately  into  active  service  in 
the  field,  yet  he  acquired  a  high  reputation  among  those  who 
knew  him  for  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a  soldier.  Leav 
ing  Baltimore  with  his  regiment  on  the  25th  of  May,  1863,  he 
was  engaged  in  the  Winchester  battles,  under  Gen.  Milroy,  June 
1 3th,  1 4th  and  15th.  On  the  morning  of  the  I5th,  after  some 
hard  fighting,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  together  with  most  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  his  regiment,  by  Johnson's  division  of 
E  well's  corps.  They  were  immediately  marched  to  Libby  Prison, 
Richmond,  suffering  greatly  from  fatigue,  thirst  and  hunger, 
where  they  arrived  June  23d,  1863.  Lieut.  McGinnis  was  not 
discharged  until  March  i6th,  1864.  At  one  time  while  in  prison 
he  was  very  sick.  From  cold,  privation  and  suffering  he  con 
tracted  a  cough  from  which  he  never  recovered.  Receiving  a 
furlough  he  returned  home  to  his  family  for  a  few  weeks,  and 
though  still  suffering  from  illness,  when  his  leave  of  absence  ex 
pired  he  expressed  an  ardent  desire  to  return  to  his  regiment, 
many  of  whom  he  had  not  seen  for  ten  months.  His  lungs  were 
visibly  affected.  Many  of  his  friends  endeavored  to  have  him 
obtain  an  extension  of  furlough,  but  his  reply  was:  'My  boys  are 
already  in  the  field;  they  are  on  the  march;  they  need  me.  My 
country  needs  the  help  of  every  single  arm.  Of  what  account  is 
my  poor  life,  and  of  what  account  are  the  lives  of  a  million  men 
if  thereby  our  nation  is  saved.'  It  was  hard  parting  from  his 
family,  but  God  gave  him  strength.  He  joined  his  regiment, 
then  under  Gen.  Hunter,  near  Strasburg,  Va  ,  May  24th,  1864. 
His  last  words  were  true  to  himself  and  his  great  nature.  He 
writes  from  Woodstock,  Va.:  'I  regret  that  my  health  is  not  suf 
ficiently  good  to  justify  much  exposure,  but  poor  as  it  is  I  .wish 
you  to  know  and  feel  that  I  shall  not  shirk  my  duty  in  the  hour 
of  trial.'  On  the  morning  of  Sunday,  June  5th,  1864,  Gen. 


240  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Hunter's  command  met  the  rebels,  under  Gen.  Jones,  at  Pied 
mont,  Va.  Lieut.  McGinnis  led  his  company  into  action,  and  by 
his  coolness  and  bravery,  as  in  former  battles,  won  the  praise  and 
admiration  of  his  brother  soldiers.  At  mid-day  he  fell  mortally 
wounded  in  the  left  forehead,  killed  by  an  English  Tower  rifle 
ball.  'If  I  am  to  fall/  said  he,  'let  it  be  on  a  victorious  battle 
field,  amid  the  cheers  of  the  boys  in  blue,  and  under  the  trium 
phant  shadows  of  our  noble  flag.'  The  prayer  of  the  brave 
lieutenant  was  answered.  He  proved  himself,  like  thousands  of 
his  countrymen,  a  true  patriot,  a  brave  soldier,  a  noble  man. 
His  name  is  honorably  mentioned  by  Col.  Ely,  of  the  Eighteenth 
Regiment,  in  his  report  to  the  adjutant  general,  'as  a  valuable 
officer,  who  in  camp  inspired  the  soldiers  to  excel  in  the  faithful 
discharge  of  military  duties,  and  on  the  battle-field  encouraged 
the  men  by  gallant  examples.'  One  who  knew  him  best  has 
written:  'Lieut.  McGinnis  was  an  honest,  upright,  whole-souled 
man;  everywhere  and  under  all  circumstances  a  true  gentleman. 
No  officer  in  the  regiment  had  more  attached  and  devoted 
friends  than  he,  and  among  his  military  companions,  as  well  as  in 
a  wide  circle  of  relatives  and  friends,  his  loss  will  be  deeply 
and  sincerely  felt.' " 

"Sergeant  William  Henry  Paine  was  the  only  son  of  William 
Paine,  of  Woodstock,  Conn.,  and  was  a  young  man  of  much 
promise.  Having  no  taste  or  inclination  for  camp  life,  only  at 
the  call  of  duty  did  he  with  others  volunteer  to  defend  his  coun 
try.  Boasting  no  courage,  he  was  ever  to  be  relied  upon  in  dif 
ficult  and  dangerous  service,  and  never  was  known  to  shirk  duty, 
even  in  the  face  of  death.  His  superior  officers  relied  much  up 
on  his  vivacious  disposition  to  keep  the  men  in  good  spirits, 
and  they  testified  that  his  services  in  this  respect  were  invaluable. 
It  was  during  what  was  known  as  Hunter's  raid  in  Virginia,  the 
5th  of  June,  1864,  that  Paine  lost  his  life.  At  the  battle  of  Pied 
mont,  in  the  face  of  a  shower  of  bullets,  while  faced  about  to  give 
directions  to  the  men  i«  his  charge,  a  bullet  from  the  enemy  en- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  241 


tered  his  body,  and  in  a  few  hours  ended  his  Itfe  at  the  age  of 
twenty-four.  His  remains  were  at  length  conveyed  to  his  native 
town,  and  interred  in  the  family  cemetery.  On  his  tomb-stone 
is  inscribed  these  truthful  words:  'A  precious  sacrifice.'' 

From  personal  observation  we  are  prepared  to  endorse  the 
testimony  here  given  concerning  his  excellent  qualities,  both  as* a 
Christian,  gentleman  and  a  soldier. 

In  addition  to  Adjutant  Culver  and  Lieut.  McGinnis,  there 
fell  at  Piedmont  as  noble  a  band  of  men,  as  ever  gave  their 
lives  for  their  country.  "Death  loves  a  shining  mark,"  and 
it  seemed  that  rebel  bullets  were  aimed  at  and  struck  down 
some  of  the  best  men  in  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  at  Piedmont. 
Such  honor  has  been  freely  accorded  to  these  men  by  their  sur 
viving  comrades.  Never  was  the  loss  of  soldier  comrades  more 
sincerely  regretted  and  mourned  than  in  this  instance.  It  was 
the  general  remark  after  the  battle.  These  men  stood  bravely 
to  their  post  until  they  were  shot  down.  It  would  be  invidious, 
perhaps,  to  particularize.  The  name  of  every  one  is  immortal, 
and  their  memory  will  be  very  dear  to  those  who  knew  their 
worth  as  brave  soldiers  in  a  righteous  cause,  for  which  they  be 
came  martyrs.  But  there  were  those  who  were  more  than  re 
spected  as  good  soldiers,  who  were  loved  as  intimate  companions 
and  friends  for  their  many  virtues.  Each  campany  had  its  spec 
ial  favorites,  who  were  greatly  esteemed  for  their  general  useful 
ness  in  their  respective  positions.  The  writer  regrets  that  per 
sonal  reminiscences  of  these  men  have  not  been  furnished  by 
their  surviving  comrades  or  relatives  for  this  history.  It  ought 
to  have  been  done  in  justice  to  the  memory  of  these  patriots  and 
defenders  of  their  country's  flag.  They  died  that  the  nation 
might  live;  that  our  free  government  and  institutions  of  learning 
and  freedom  might  be  preserved  and  handed  down  in  their  puri 
ty  to  the  generations  to  come. 

Had  they  and  their  fallen  comrades  not  bared  tru'ir  breasts  to 
rebel  bullets  and  fought  to  the  last,  our  Union  would  have  been 

31 


242  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


rent  asunder,  and  Southern  hate  and  revenge  would  have  com 
mitted  the  same  atrocities  here  at  the  North  as  they  did  at 
Richmond,  or  Andersonville,  or  Columbia.  Blessed  be  the 
memory  of  the  men  who  gave  their  <rves  to  destroy  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  thus  preventing  the  barbarism  of  negro  slavery 
frpm  spreading  over  the  whole  country,  and  thus  warding  off 
further  inilictions  from  the  hands  of  divine  justice. 

Nor  should  the  maimed  and  wounded  of  the  Eighteenth  at 
Piedmont  be  forgotten.  They  too,  as  a  whole,  conducted  them 
selves  in  a  manner  that  deserves  special  commendation  and  even 
admiration.  It  was  a  sad  sight  to  see  more  than  one  hundred 
men  suffering  from  their  wounds,  and  exposed  to  the  extreme 
heat  of  that  terrible  hot  day.  The  hospital  was  filled  early  in 
the  battle,  and  then  the  poor  sufferers  were  laid  in  rows  in  the 
adjoining  yard,  covering  a  large  space  of  ground.  It  was  a 
long  time  before  all  could  have  their  wounds  properly  cared 
for.  Some  were  constantly  calling  for  water  to  quench  their  ex 
treme  thirst,  and  others  for  relief  from  their  acute  sufferings. 
Others  were  dying,  while  others  still  were  enduring  amputation 
with  the  hope  of  saving  themselves  from  the  grasp  of  the  pale 
messenger.  On  the  whole,  it  was  a  sight  that  once  seen  would 
never  be  forgotten,  and  the  wonder  is  that  more  of  the  wounded 
heroes  did  not  give  way  to  impatience  and  despair.  On  the 
contrary,  they  were  remarkably  cheerful  and  hopeful  under  the 
circumstances.  They  bore  their  pains  without  murmuring  or 
complaint.  The  writer  was  amazed,  in  going  from  one  to  an 
other  of  his  regiment,  to  find  them  so  reconciled  to  their  distress 
ing  condition.  They  seemed  to  forget  their  pains  in  their  great 
interest  in  the  result  of  the  battle  that  was  being  so  Tiotly  con 
tested.  When  the  news  came  that  the  rebels  had  broken  and 
were  retreating  in  wild  confusion,  and  our  cavalry  were  in  hot 
pursuit,  the  wounded  men  seemed  to  forget  entirely  their  painful 
condition.  They  were  almost  beside  themselves  with  joy.  They 
cheered,  clapped  their  hands,  and  those  who  were  able  sprang  to 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  243 


their  feet,  threw  up  their  hands  and  caps,  and  amid  shouts  and 
tears  of  joy  cheered  again  and  again  for  the  Union.  The  im 
pression  of  that  scene  will  never  be  effaced  from  the  hearts  of 
those  who  participated  in  it.  Not  a  few  of  the  wounded  who 
made  the  air  vocal  with  their  shouts  that  day  were  soon  num 
bered  among  the  dead.  In  nearly  two-thirds  of  the  cases  the 
wounded  were  saved,  but  yi  several  instances  death  ultimately 
ensued.  God  bless  the  "cripple  brigade,"  in  which  the  Eight 
eenth  Connecticut  had  its  full  share.  May  their  sufferings  and 
privations  ever  be  gratefully  remembered  by  the  American 
people. 

It  was  nearly  dusk  when  the  dead  were  buried  and  the  Eight 
eenth  lay  down  in  the  woods  for  the  night,  only  a  little  way  in 
advance  of  the  rebel  position,  greatly  reduced  in  numbers  and 
nearly  exhausted  from  the  constant  fighting  and  fatigues  of  the 
day.  Nevertheless,  all  felt  jubilant  over  the  result.  They  had 
whipped  the  rebels  and  sent  them  flying  over  the  Blue  Ridge; 
yet  the  victory  had  been  dearly  purchased,  as  the  list  of  the  dead 
and  wounded  clearly  showed.  This  thought  chastened  the  joy 
and  the  men  lay  down  that  night  serious  and  thoughtful. 

There  were  several  promotions  after  the  battle.  Lieutenant 
J.  P.  Rockwell,  Company  G,  who  had  received  a  slight  wound  in 
the  abdomen  but  still  remained  on  duty,  was  promoted  adjutant 
in  place  of  the  lamented  Culver.  Orderly  Robert  Kerr,  who  had 
commanded  Company  A,  was  promoted  to  a  second  lieutenan 
cy  for  gallant  conduct.  Other  promotions  were  made,  equally 
well  deserved,  and  the  regiment  was  ready  and  eager  for  further 
service. 

On  June  6th  moved  early  on  Staunton.  As  the  regiment 
filed  out  of  the  woods  into  the  highway,  Gen.  Sullivan  and  staff 
were  sitting  on  their  horses  near  by,  and  the  general  cried  to 
his  staff:  "Three  cheers  for  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  who 
saved  the  day  at  Piedmont,"  and  they  were  given  with  a  will. 
Gen.  Hunter  also  complimented  the  regiment  for  its  gallant 


244  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


conduct.  The  boys  went  on  cheering  and  singing.  There 
was  great  enthusiasm  along  the  whole  line.  It  was  a  day 
of  triumph,  and  the  march  of  fifteen  miles  or  more  was  performed 
with  less  fatigue  than  usual.  The  march  was  through  a  fine 
country.  The  citizens  were  mostly  civil,  belonging  to  a  religious 
sect  generally  called  "Dunkers,"  who  were  believers  in  true  im 
mersion,  and  in  their  views  concerning  war  something  like  the 
Quakers.  Many  of  the  able-bodied  men  had  run  away  to  escape 
the  draft,  some  of  whom  had  been  met  at  Harper's  Ferry  before 
the  Union  force  moved  up  the  valley.  One  old  man  and  his 
wife  stood  at  their  gate  as  the  army  moved  on,  and  very  freely 
expressed  their  views  with  regard  to  the  war,  denouncing  the 
Southern  people  for  resorting  to  arms  to  secure  what  they  called 
their  rights.  The  old  man  said:  "I  have  been  telling  the  people 
round  here  that  it  would  come  to  this  if  they  did  not  cease  their 
agitation  and  their  violent  threatenings.  Now,"  he  added,  "we 
have  this  cruel  war,  and  the  end  is  not  yet."  These  people 
seemed  greatly  excited  by  the  movements  of  Gen.  Hunter's  ar 
my.  They  had  reason  to  be. 

Staunton  was  reached  about  five  P.  M.  Here  the  boys  be 
came  very  much  excited  and  enthusiastic.  Not  quite  a  year 
before  most  of  the  Eighteenth  had  passed  through  this  place  on 
their  way  to  Richmond  as  prisoners  of  war.  Then  the  citizens 
were  as  numerous  as  bees,  cheering  and  laughing  derisively,  and 
asking  m&ny  impertinent  question;  among  others:  "How  do  you 
like  'on  to  Richmond'  as  far  as  you  have  got,"  and  otherwise 
insulting  them.  The  men  had  replied  by  cheering  for  the  Union 
and  the  old  flag,  and  predicting:  "We  are  coming  this  way  again 
before  long,  and  shall  bring  our  muskets  with  us."  This  proph 
ecy  was  now  being  fulfilled,  as  much  to  the  delight  of  the 
Yankees  as  the  previous  experience  had  been  delightful  to  the 
proud  and  exulting  rebels.  It  was  mortifying  enough  to  the 
Staunton  people  to  hear  the  Yankee  music,  and  see  the  Union 
colors  flying,  to  listen  to  Qheers  oi  triumph  as  Northern  soldiers 


Lieut.    JOHN  A.  FRANCIS. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  245 


marched  through  the  town.  The  men  as  usual  kept  out  of  sight, 
while  the  women  looked  out  of  their  doors  and  windows  in  sul 
len  silence  or  in  spiteful  defiance.  Some  of  the  citizens  expect 
ed  the  hated  Yankees  would  commit  all  kinds  of  violent  acts  in 
town,  but  afterward  confessed  that  the  troops  appeared  more 
orderly  than  they  expected.  Went  into  camp  about  half  a  mile 
west  of  the  city,  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  shower,  where  the  grass 
was  tall  and  heavy. 

Remained  here  three  days.  In  the  meantime  different  regi 
ments  were  sent  along  the  railroads  to  destroy  the  tracks  and 
burn  the  bridges.  The  Eighteenth  was  absent  one  day;  cap 
tured  several  fine  horses,  and  helped  themselves  to  the  good 
things  of  the  land.  Great  quantitiesof  tobacco  were  destroyed. 
Houses  were  searched  for  fire-arms,  ammunition,  and  provisions, 
and  property  generally  well  shaken  up.  In  the  midst  of  this 
work,  Gen.  Averill's  cavalry  came  marching  into  town,  the 
band  playing  "Yankee  Doodle."  The  men  were  nearly  crazy 
with  delight,  and  told  the  new  comers  to  help  themselves 
to  tobacco,  and  the  latter  proceeded  so  to  do  after  a  soldier's 
most  approved  style.  Every  pocket  was  crammed  with  the  luxu 
ry.  Gen.  Crook  came  into  town  soon  after  with  a  force  of  in 
fantry.  Crook  and  Averill  had  reached  Staunton  by  another 
route,  and  now  were  joined  to  Gen.  Hunter's  command,  making 
a  force  of  some  fifteen  or  sixteen  thousand  men.  The  Eight 
eenth  wrote  great  quantities  of  letters  while  here  to  their  old 
homes  in  Connecticut.  The  time  of  the  Twenty-Eighth  Ohio 
having  expired,  they  were  ordered  home  in  charge  of  a  train,  by 
a  mountain  road  through  West  Virginia.  A  number  of  our 
wounded  were  sent  to  the  rear  by  this  train.  Most  of  the 
badly  wounded  at  Piedmont  were  removed  to  the  hospital  in 
Staunton,  several  of  whom  soon  afterward  died.  After  our  force 
left  the  town,  the  poor  fellows  seemed  to  become  discouraged, 
and  it  was  said  they  died  of  home-sickness. 

June  Qth,  reconnoitered  in  force  a  few  miles  west  of  Staunton, 


246  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

a  rebel  force  having  been  seen  in  that  direction  the  night  previ 
ous.  Halted  about  noon  near  a  railroad  crossing  for  rest  and 
rations.  In  the  meantime  made  considerable  work  for  the  rail 
road  company  in  repairing  bridges  and  laying  new  rails  and  ties. 
Returned  to  Staunton  and  spent  another  night.  The  men  found 
it  quite  as  pleasant  staying  here  with  their  muskets  as  without 
them  a  year  before.  They  would  have  been  quite  willing  to 
have  remained  a  longer  time. 

Staunton  is  beautifully  located  on  a  small  branch  of  the  Shen- 
andoah  near  its  source,  and  on  the  Central  Railroad  in  Virginia, 
one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  Richmond.  Gen.  Hunter 
caused  this  road  immense  damage  while  here,  besides  destroying 
quantities  of  military  stores  and  tobacco.  The  Western  Lunatic 
Asylum  was  located  here.  There  was  also  an  institution  for  the 
dumb  and  blind.  One  or  both  of  these  buildings  were  in  use  as 
hospitals  for  sick  and  wounded  Confederate  and  Union  soldiers. 
The  town  contained  five  or  six  churches,  two  academies,  two  fe 
male  seminaries  and  two  banks.  The  capture  of  this  place  was 
quite  an  achievement,  as  the  destruction  of  rebel  property  here 
was  estimated  at  over  a  million  of  dollars.  It  was  a  terrible 
mortification  to  the  rebel  citizens  of  Staunton  to  see  the  Yankees 
in  power.  The  old  men,  however,  said  but  little,  but  the  young 
men  were  very  bitter  and  fierce  in  their  denunciations  and  deter 
mination  to  carry  on  the  war  to  the  bitter  end.  The  writer 
recalls  a  conversation  with  one  of  this  class,  in  substance  as  fol 
lows:  "What  right  have  you  to  come  down  here  to  fight  us  and 
destroy  our  property?"  "We  are  here  in  obedience  to  our  gov 
ernment,  and  to  defend  its  honor  and  flag."  "Why  do  you  employ 
the  niggers  to  fight  for  you?"  "For  the  same  reason  that  you 
employ  them  as  servants,  to  dig  your  trenches,  build  your  fortifi 
cations,  and  wait  on  your  officers  of  the  army.  They  serve  us 
equally  well  as  soldiers.  We  have  left  white  folks  enough  to 
raise  food  for  our  armies.  We  do  not  need  niggers  for  that, 
but  only  to  fight."  "But  you  will  never  whip  us."  "Yes  we  shall, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  247 

for  we  have  the  most  men  and  the  most  money,  and  besides  we 
have  right  on  our  side.  If  you  should  kill  off  our  present  armies 
our  government  could  raise  others  like  them,  while  you  have  got 
already  your  whole  available  force  in  the  field,  and  you  cannot 
raise  another  man  and  you  know  it.  Now  take  good  advice: 
return  to  your  allegiance  to  the  United  States  government  and 
be  loyal  citizens,  and  it  shall  be  well  with  you."  "We  shall  not  do 
it;  we  will  die  first."  "Very  well,  then  make  up  your  mind  to  die, 
for  we  shall  put  down  this  Rebellion  if  it  takes  twenty  years." 
"We  can't  see  it."  "You  will  see  it,  and  besides  we  will  introduce 
free  schools  and  the  free  institutions  of  the  North  all  over  this 
Southern  country,  and  in  ten  years  you  will  see  the  good  effects 
and  thank  us  for  whipping  you.  If  you  do  not,  your  children  will, 
and  rise  up  and  call  us  blessed." 


248  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CHAPTER  XII. 


HUNTERS    RAID — ON    TO    LYNCHBURG. 


On  the  loth  of  June  the  united  forces  of  Hunter  and  Averill 
left  Staunton  for  Lynchburg.  The  day  was  very  hot  and  the 
march  was  in  silence.  Halted  at  one  time  near  a  very  fine  spring. 
While  here  a  train  overtook  us  from  Martinsburg  and  some  of 
the  Eighteenth  came  on  it.  Received  a  mail,  which  the  chap 
lain  distributed,  greatly  to  the  delight  of  those  who  were  lucky 
enough  to.get  news  from  home.  A  member  of  Company  A  says: 
"I  received  a  letter  from  my  wife  and  was  very  thankful.  In  it  I 
found  a  little  green  tea.  She  little  knows  the  good  it  will  do  me 
when  we  go  into  camp  to-night,  for  I  have  no  coffee."  Passed 
on  a  little  way  and  found  an  old  man  standing  by  his  gate,  who 
said  with  deep  emotion:  "It  does  me  good  to  see  the  old  flag.  I 
have  not  seen  it  for  more  than  three  years. 

Went  into  camp  that  night  at  a  place  called  Medway,  near  an 
old  brick  church.  Rations  had  begun  to  be  scarce.  The  boys 
cooked  their  meat  by  holding  it  in  the  blaze  of  their  fires. 
However,  made  the  best  of  it,  the  boys  having  considerable  sport 
in  this  novel  process  of  "broiling  steak."  Next  day,  Saturday, 
June  i  ith,  after  a  tiresome  march  arrived  at  Lexington,  the  seat 
of  Washington  College  and  the  Virginian  Military  Institute. 
Found  Gen.  .Crook  skirmishing  with  a  rebel  force  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  north  branch  of  the  James  River.  The  firing  was 
kept  up  for  several  hours.  In  the  meantime  a  force  was 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  249 

sent  to  the  enemy's  left,  by  fording  the  river  a  mile  or  two 
above  the  town.  The  rebels  rushed  out  in  great  haste.  The 
Union  force  took  possession  of  the  town  and  burned  the  Military 
Institute  and  Governor  Letcher's  house,  and  destroyed  not  a 
little  rebel  property.  The  statue  of  Washington,  in  front  of  the 
Institute,  was  taken  away  and  sent  to  Washington.  Next  day, 
Sunday,  the  whole  force  was  moved  across  the  river.  The  rebels 
had  burned  the  bridge,  but  the  river,  being  low  on  account  of  the 
drouth,  it  was  easily  forded  and  the  Eighteenth  went  into  camp 
a  little  east  of  the  town.  The  situation  was  delightful.  Lexing 
ton  lies  in  a  valley,  and  the  mountain  scenery  on  all  sides  is 
grand  and  beautiful.  Moreover,  the  town  itself  was  very  pleas 
ant.  It  had  not  suffered  much  from  the  effects  of  the  war  until 
now,  with  the  single  exception  of  Washington  College.  This 
had  been  occupied  by  the  rebels  previous  to  its  occupation  by 
the  Union  army,  and  everything  was  in  a  poor  and  dilapidated 
condition.  The  books  of  the  library  were  scattered  over  the 
floor  of  the  building,  and  the  injury  done  was  very  great.  This 
was  not  all  the  work  of  Yankees,  the  rebels  did  their  full  share. 
This  place  is  about  one  hundred  and  forty-six  miles  from  Rich 
mond,  and  about  thirty-five  miles  northwest  from  Lynchburg. 
It  is  noted  as  having  been  the  home  of  several  leading  rebel 
commanders,  especially  "Stonewall  Jackson,"  and  also  the  place 
of  his  burial. 

When  Hunter's  army  entered  Lexington  the  rebel  flag  was 
found  flying  on  a  staff  at  the  head  of  Jackson's  grave.  It  was 
taken  down,  and  during  the  two  days'  stay  of  the  Union  forces 
the  flag-staff,  and  the  head  and  foot-board  of  his  grave  were 
fairly  whittled  away  and  carried  off  for  relics.  The  house  of 
Jackson  was  pointed  out,  as  well  as  other  places  of  note,  owing 
to  their  relations  to  the  Rebellion.  Mayor  Adams — as  he  was 
called — was  very  polite  and  gentlemanly — the  son  of  a  Northern 
man — and  did  not  seem  to  be  very  hearty  in  his  support  of  the 
war.  He  expressed  the  hope  that  Hunter  would  take  every 


250  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


black  man  from  the  county  (Rockbridge.)  Slavery  he  said  was 
not  at  all  profitable  to.  the  owners,  and  they  were  tired  of  it. 
Provisions  seemed  to  be  very  scarce  among  the  citizens.  The 
mayor  invited  the  chaplain  of  the  Eighteenth  to  take  breakfast 
with  him,  and  there  was  nothing  on  his  table  but  rye  coffee- 
called  Jeff  Davis  coffee — and  one  plate  of  very  small  biscuit 
made  of  poor  flour.  "This,"  said  he  "is  the  best  we  have."  On 
the  whole,  the  stay  of  two  days  at  Lexington  was  very  pleasant. 
The  men  needed  rest.  The  chief  pastime  was  making  rings  and 
other  trinkets  from  the  black  walnut  boards  captured  from  Stone 
wall  Jackson's  grave. 

June  1 4th,  left  Lexington  about  seven  A.  M.,  and  marched  all 
day  through  a  romanric  country,  passing  within  two  or  three 
miles  of  the  Natural  Bridge,  which  Lieut.  Johnson  and  several 
other  officers  visited.  Arrived  at  Buchanan  about  sunset. 
Here  the  rebels  had  committed  a  most  foolish  vandalism- 
burned  a  very  fine  bridge  which  spanned  the  south  branch  of 
the  James  River.  This  place  was  the  head  of  navigation,  and 
connected  also  with  Richmond  by  the  James  River  canal.  The 
canal  boats  were  used  to  convey  the  troops  across  the  river  to 
Pattonsburg,  and  this  village  the  burning  of  the  bridge  set  on 
fire.  The  Union  advance  extinguished  the  flames,  and  thus 
saved  the  rebels  a  greater  loss  from  their  own  malicious  folly. 
A  large  portion  of  the  troops  crossed  on  the  remains  of  the 
bridge  which  had  faMen  into  the  river.  The  timbers  and  boards 
were  so  arranged  as  to  make  a  passable  foot-bridge.  The 
horses  and  mule  teams  forded  the  river  a  mile  or  two  above,  but 
not  without  difficulty.  Just  before  crossing  the  river  the  Yankees 
were  greeted  with  cheers  of  welcome,  and  the  old  flag  was  waved 
by  a  company  of  people  on  the  veranda  of  a  large  house  a  little 
to  the  left  from  the  line  of  march.  This  was  the  first  demon 
stration  of  the  kind  since  the  departure  from  Winchester,  and 
each  regiment  -responded  with  hearty  cheers  as  they  passed, 
causing  no  little  excitement  in  the  staid-looking  town.  The  men 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  251 


thought  the  very  name  was  proof  enough  that  it  was  an  old  fogy 
town  and  they  wondered  if  the  people  would  sufficiently  awake 
to  know  that  the  Yankees  had  come.  The  crowd  that  had 
cheered  were  called  "Northern  people,"  and  they  showed  about 
the  only  sighs  of  life  in  the  place.  The  Eighteenth  camped  in 
a  wheat  field  that  night  about  a  mile  above  the  crossing.  All 
were  weary  and  slept  soundly.  The  wheat  straw  made  a  very 
good  bed,  but  did  not  furnish  very  substantial  food  for  stomachs 
which  at  the  time  began  to  cry  for  bread. 

June  1 5th,  Wednesday,  arose  about  sunrise.  Being  but  a 
short  distance  from  the  river,  many  of  the  boys  repaired  thither 
for  washing,  near  the  place  of  fording.  Several  wrecked  team 
wagons  were  still  in  the  river,  besides  one  or  two  single-horse 
wagons  belonging  to  the  contrabands  following  Gen.  Hunter's 
trains.  Two  darkies,  a  man  and  woman,  were  sitting  in  a  wag 
on,  minus  a  horse,  waiting  for  a  power  of  locomotion  to  "take 
them  over  Jordan,"  which  they  evidently  began  to  find  a  "hard 
road  to  travel."  About  nine  A.  M.  the  order  came  to  move  tow 
ard  a  gap  in  the  Blue  Ridge,  which  was  but  a  short  distance 
away.  Here  a  rebel  spy  was  detected  trying  to  decoy  into  the 
mountains  one  of  Gen.  Averill's  trains.  He  was  instantly  shot 
and  his  body  left  in  the  road  as  a  warning  to  others.  Soon  after 
ward  began  to  ascend  the  mountains  by  a  narrow,  rough  road, 
that  was  as  crooked  as  a  ram's  horn,  and  in  some  places  very 
steep.  The  rebels  had  made  marching  more  difficult  by  felling 
trees  across  the  way  in  many  places,  and  by  bush -whacking. 
One  of  these  wayside  murderers  was  brought  to  grief  by  being 
shot,  and  his  body  laid  out  by  the  roadside  some  way  up  the 
mountain.  Several  others  were  taken  prisoners,  among  them  a 
rebel  colonel  and  his  son.  The  colonel  was  a  fine  looking  man 
and  showed  a  good  deal  of  spirit,  and  he  became  a  marked  char 
acter  thereafter.  The  march  was  tiresome,  but  the  scenery  was 
grand  and  inspiring.  The  air  in  the  ascent  was  cool  and  bracing, 
and  the  whole  scene  one  never  to  be  forgotten.  Reaching  the 


252  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


highest  point,  the  Peaks  of  Otter  were  in  full  view,  and  the  lesser 
heights,  with  their  intervening  valleys  dotted  here  and  there  with 
signs  of  agricultural  life,  formed  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
and  charming  views  in  Virginia.  A  nearer  approach  to  the 
peaks  revealed  a  signal  flag  station.  This  at  first  was  supposed 
to  be  rebel,  but  when  it  appeared  to  be  Union  there  was  great 
excitement  and  joy  in  the  Union  line.  That  night  the  Eight 
eenth  slept  among  old  logs  at  the  base  of  the  Peaks  of  Otter, 
a  rough,  barren  place,  with  but  little  to  eat  either  for  man  or 
beast.  But  the  night  passed  quickly  and  revealed  a  splendid 
morning  among  the  mountains.  The  day  previous  had  been  hot, 
and  but  for  the  great  elevation  must  have  been  wilting  to  the 
already  worn  out  men,  some  of  whom  were  mounted  during  the 
day,  having  exchanged  places  with  several  of  the  horsemen, 
one  or  two  old  men  must  have  been  left  in  the  mountains  but 
for  the  aid  thus  given  them.  Now  there  was  the  promise  of  a 
still  hotter  day,  and  the  descent  into  the  valley  east  of  the  ridge 
did  not  give  much  encouragement  to  sore-footed  and  tired-out 
men.  A  march  of  two  hours  or  more  over  a  very  rocky  road, 
part  of  the  way,  brought  the  army  into  a  splendid  country — 
level,  smooth  and  very  productive.  Here  we  struck  the  Ten 
nessee  and  Lynchburg  railroad  at  a  town  called  Liberty,  a  very 
pleasant  place,  but  strongly  rebel  in  its  proclivities,  like  most 
other  places  on  the  line  of  march.  Gen.  Hunter  did  all  the 
damage  he  could  by  burning  railroad  bridges,  bending  rails, 
etc.  A  short  way  out  of  the  place  halted  for  rest  and  rations. 
The  men  found  an  out-building  where  bacon  had  been  hid  away, 
and  helped  themselves,  marching  into  the  woods  with  hams  ele 
vated  upon  their  bayonets.  But  no  one  hurt  themselves  by  over 
eating  that  day.  The  heat,  however,  had  become  dreadful,  and 
the  men  fell  out  in  large  numbers.  There  were  also  a  large 
number  on  the  sick  list.  Among  others  was  Surgeon  Harring 
ton,  who  had  found  the  mountain  air  of  the  day  previous  too 
bracing  for  his  weak  lungs.  This,  with  great  fatigue,  brought 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  253 


on  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs.  He  bled  quite  freely  at  night  at 
Little  Otter  Creek,  where  the  regiment  went  into  camp  for  the 
night  after  a  march  of  eighteen  miles.  The  advance  had  skir 
mished  with  the  enemy  most  of  the  way  from  Liberty.  A  large 
number  of  men  had  foraged  through  the  day  with  indifferent 
success.  Had  to  live  mostly  on  the  country,  and  the  inhabit 
ants  did  not  leave  much  that  would  feed  Yankees  about  their 
premises. 

Sam  Taylor,  of  Company  A,  foraged  three  pints  of  meal  at 
one  house,  the  family  declaring  that  it  was  all  they  had  in  the 
house.  But  Sam  thought  it  was  all  right  to  take  it,  they  being 
the  cause  of  the  war  and  the  ones  who  ought  to  suffer  for  it.  At 
Little  Otter  Creek  some  of  the  men,  with  the  chaplain,  went  af 
ter  strawberries,  and  found  them  quite  plentiful  a  short  distance 
away.  The  best  thing  for  supper  that  night  was  the  dessert 
usual  in  Yankee  land. 

June  1 7th,  fought  the  heat,  which  was  intense,  and  the  rebels 
who  persisted  in  placing  every  obstruction  in  the  way.  At  Big 
Otter  Creek  had  to  build  a  bridge  before  the  trains  could  pass. 
Some  of  the  men  and  horses  forded  the  stream  above  while  this 
was  being  done,  and  enjoyed  themselves  in  looking  on,  and  talk 
ing  with  citizens  of  different  color  on  the  opposite  bank.  One 
man  asked  various  questions  as  to  the  number  and  strength  of 
the  Union  force,  but  was  not  made  much  wiser  for  his  pains. 
The  respondent  was  sure  to  give  pretty  big  figures  in  every  in 
stance,  which  not  a  little  bewildered  the  inquisitors.  Several 
old  darkies,  in  a  shy  way,  asked  several  questions  with  regard  to 
chance  for  going  oft  witli  the  Yankees.  Of  course  the  replies 
were  somewhat  indifferent,  as  the  prospect  was  not  flattering  at 
that  time  of  the  Yankees  themselves  getting  very  far,  unless  it 
was  in  the  direction  of  Libby  or  Andersonville.  Things  began 
to  look  rather  dark.  It  was  evident  that  another  fight  was  close 
at  hand,  and  Hunter  was  a  long  way  from  his  base  of  supplies. 
Surgeon  Harrington,  who  had  become  worse,  was  put  into  an 


254  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

ambulance,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  chaplain.  -Skirmishing 
grew  hotter,  like  the  climate,  as  the  army  advanced.  Passed 
through  a  place  called  New  London,  which  had  the  appear 
ance  of  an  old  broken  down  London.  Found  near  by  the 
way  an  alum  spring,  with  stone  steps  leading  down  to  the  water. 
Many  canteens  were  filled  here,  as  it  was  thought  the  water  was 
very  healthy  for  men  in  the  condition  of  the  soldiers  at  that  time. 
True,  the  water  was  a  little  "puckering,"  but  some  thought  the 
stomachs  of  the  men  needed  to  be  brought  into  a  compass  to 
correspond  with  the  amount  of  their  rations,  which  began  to 
grow  uncomfortably  small  at  this  time.  At  all  events  the  men 
were  determined  to  make  the  best  of  the  situation,  and  numer 
ous  jokes  were  passed  \vith  reference  to  the  stringent  water  of 
New  London,  for  there  began  to  be  a  severe  stringency  in  the 
forage  market.  Passing  on  from  this  place  in  the  course  of  two 
hours  there  was  brisk  firing  in  front.  The  rebels  had  made  a 
stand  about  three  miles  this  side  of  Lynchburg,  and  there  was 
quite  a  smart  fight  near  an  old  church.  Gen.  Crook  drove  them 
back,  however,  and  captured  several  guns  and  a  few  prisoners. 
Night  put  an  end  to  the  pursuit.  The  Eighteenth  was  ordered 
on  picket  duty,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  front  of  the  scene 
of  battle  near  the  church,  and  within  speaking  distance  of 
the  rebel  line.  Indeed  the  rebels  were  heard  many  times  during 
the  night  talking  and  cheering,  and  giving  signs  of  an  immediate 
advance.  There  was  considerable  activity  during  the  night. 
Maj.  Peale,  in  looking  after  his  picket  line,  came  near  being  cap 
tured,  finding  himself  at  one  time  in  perilously  close  proximity 
to  the  rebels.  The  regiment  did  not  get  much  rest  during  the 
night,  fearing  an  attack. 

Early  the  next  morning  an  artillery  duel  commenced,  lasting 
several  hours,  during  which  time  both  armies  remained  compar 
atively  quiet.  While  this  duel  was  in  progress,  two  shells  from 
the  enemy's  battery  exploded  in  the  line  of  the  Eighteenth  while 
they  were  enjoying  their  pipes,  seriously  wounding  the  color 


Lieut.    JAMES  D.  HIGGINS. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  255 

bearer,  Sergeant  C.  A.  Tourtelott,  Company  H,  and  private  E. 
R.  Wood,  Company  B.  Soon  after  Col.  Ely  was  slightly  wound 
ed  in  the  throat  by  a  piece  of  a  shell.  From  this  time  the  com 
mand  devolved  on  Maj.  Peale.  The  troublesome  battery  was 
soon  silenced.  Shortly  thereafter  it  was  discovered  that  the  ene 
my  was  massing  his  forces  on  Hunter's  left,  and  they  began  to 
yell  with  great  vigor.  The  Eighteenth,  wij:h  other  forces,  were 
moved  quietly  to  the  left  in  support  of  Snow's  Battery;  four  lines 
of  battle  were  formed  to  repel  a  charge  from  the  enemy, 
which  was  successfully  done,  the  rebels  being  driven  back 
behind  their  entrenchments,  where  they  waited  for  reinforce 
ments.  About  four  P.  M.  the  car  whistles  at  Lynchburg 
indicated  that  the  rebels  were  being  reinforced — drums  were 
beating,  and  there  was  great  cheering  and  rejoicing.  In  the 
meantime  Gen.  Hunter,  comprehending  the  situation,  was  com 
pleting  his  arrangements  for  a  retreat.  A  portion  of  his  train 
was  kept  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  but  the  greater  part  was 
quietly  moved  to  the  rear,  and  headed  towards  Liberty.  The 
charges  of  the  rebels  had  been  repelled  in  the  afternoon,  so  that 
this  movement  was  not  discovered  until  it  was  handsomely  exe 
cuted.  Not  a  single  wagon  or  ambulance  was  captured.  At 
sunset  the  relative  position  of  both  armies  was  about  the  same 
as  in  the  morning,  with  the  advantage  in  favor  of  Gen.  Hunter 
for  a  successful  retreat.  By  dusk  the  whole  force  was  following 
the  trains,  excepting  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut,  which  was  left 
on  picket  duty  in  a  perilous  situation.  The  enemy  was  within 
speaking  distance.  Their  conversation  could  be  distinctly  heard. 
Gen.  Hunter  had  kept  up  a  good  show  of  fight  through  the  day, 
and  it  was  necessary  that  appearances  should  be  maintained  to 
the  last.  This  was  admirably  done  by  the  Eighteenth  until  after 
dark;  then  the  regiment  moved  out  as  silently  as  possible  on  to 
the  pike,  and  at  a  double  quick  followed  in  the  wake  of  the  re 
treating  forces,  overtaking  them  near  New  London. 

It    seemed    the   enemy  had    not  made    calculations    for   this 


256  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

sudden  movement,  and  hence  the  great  share  of  the  force 
eluded  the  grasp  of  Gen.  Early,  who  was  in  Lynchburg.  The 
wonder  is  that  Gen.  Hunter,  with  an  army  in  front  of  him  of  at 
least  thirty  thousand  men,  got  away  with  so  little  trouble  and 
loss.  If  Gen.  Hunter  made  a  mistake  in  going  to  Lynchburg 
instead  of  Charlottsville  from  Staunton,  it  must  be  admitted 
that  he  displayed  fine  generalship  in  conducting  the  fight  at,  and 
in  his  retreat  from  Lynchburg  in  the  presence  of  such  a  large 
force  of  the  enemy.  The  loss  of  the  Eighteenth  was  nine 
wounded.  E.  R.  Wood  had  a  leg  amputated,  as  also  had  C.  A. 
Tourtelott.  The  latter  died  at  College  Hospital,  Lynchburg,  on 
the  i5th  of  August  following.  He  was  a  brave  and  excellent 
soldier. 

Soon  after  he  was  wounded  he  was  carried,  with  Wood,  to  the 
hospital,  a  little  to  the  rear  and  in  full  view  of  the  enemy's  line. 
Before  his  leg  was  amputated,  and  while  our  line  was  successful 
ly  repelling  the  charges  of  the  enemy,  he  was  told  by  the  chap- 
Iain  that  the  rebels  were  retreating.  Lying  on  the  ground,  rais 
ing  himself  up  and  clasping  his  shattered  knee  in  both  hands  he 
exclaimed:  "Chaplain,  I  care  nothing  for  this  if  we  can  only  whip 
the  rebels."  Both  he  and  Wood  were  very  cheerful  when  the 
ambulance  train  left  that  evening  to  follow  the  retreat,  but  atter- 
ward  Tourtelott  lost  all  courage,  and  it  is  said  he  died  broken 
hearted.  Col.  Ely  had  a  narrow  escape,  as  before  indicated. 
All  the  wounded  were  left  in  the  hospital  with  Surgeon  Harring 
ton,  who  was  too  feeble  to  be  removed.  This  necessity  was  a 
source  of  deep  regret  to  Surgeon  Holbrook  and  Col.  Ely,  and  a 
severe  loss  to  the  whole  regiment.  Harrington  was  a  well- 
informed,  considerate  and  faithful  surgeon,  and  will  always  be  re 
membered  with  gratitude  by  the  members  of  the  Eighteenth. 
He  returned  no  more  to  his  post  of  duty.  He  remained  a  pris 
oner  until  the  3d  of  September  following,  when  he  was  ex 
changed  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  Ten  days  after  he  wrote  the 
following  letter  to  his  chaplain,  which  speaks  for  itself. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  257 


NEW  YORK  HARBOR,  GENERAL  HOSPITAL,  Sept.  23d,  1864. 
CHAPLAIN  WALKER — MY  DEAR  SIR: — I  am  at  liberty  again; 
free  from  the  clutches  of  the  barbarians,  but  still  a  prisoner  to 
disease,  and  held  in  pretty  close  confinement.  I  have  seen  some 
pretty  hard  times  since  I  saw  you,  and  reviewing  them  now  I 
wonder  how  I  could  have  endured  what  I  have  passed  through. 
God  was  very  good  to  me  or  I  never  could  have  withstood  the 
hardships  of  my  prison  life.  After  my  capture,  for  five  weeks 
my  health  improved  considerably,  and  then  I  was  sent  with  about 
three  hundred  captured  officers  and  men  to  Macon,  Georgia. 
The  hardships  of  the  journey,  and  subsequent  exposure,  brought 
on  an  attack  of  pleuro-pneumonia  from  which  I  have  not  yet 
fully  recovered.  I  am  much  debilitated.  In  fact  my  chief 
trouble  is  lack  of  strength  almost  to  breathe.  I  remained  in 
Macon  about  six  weeks,  was  then  taken  to  Charleston,  S.  C.,  ar 
riving  there  on  the  -d  instant,  just  in  time  to  be  exchanged  with 
other  non-combatants  on  the  3d.  After  reaching  our  lines  went 
into  hospital  immediately,  and  have  been  in  hospital  on  sea  or 
land  ever  since.  From  here  I  shall  try  and  get  home  and  recruit 
awhile.  Whether  I  shall  ever  return  to  the  regiment  again  is 
very  doubtful.  Time  will  soon  decide.  At  all  events,  I  am  in 
the  Almighty's  hands,  and  his  will  be  done. 
Most  respectfully  yours, 

J.   V.    HARRINGTON, 

Assistant  Surgeon  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers. 
This  letter  will  be  read  by  many  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
Eighteenth  with  tender  hearts  and  moistened  eyes.  It  will  re 
call  many  deeds  of  kindness  and  faithful  attentions,  which  dis 
tinguished  Surgeon  Harrington  in  his  official  capacity  and  in 
social  intercourse.  He  reached  his  home  in  Sterling,  Conn.,  in  a 
short  time  after  writing  the  above,  but  lived  only  a  few  days.  The 
news  of  his  death  caused  general  sadness  among  his  former  com 
rades  in  service  and  hardships  for  the  flag  of  his  country.  It  is 
no  wonder  then  that  the  Eighteenth  deeply  regretted  the  neces- 

33 


258  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


sity  of  leaving  such  an  officer  as  Surgeon  Harrington  to  the 
tender  mercies  of  the  rebels  at  Lynchburg  on  that  ever  mymor- 
able  day  when  it  turned  its  face  to  the  mountains  of  Western 
Virginia. 

It  was  said  that  when  Gen.  Hunter  ordered  the  Eighteenth  to 
cover  his  retreat  from  Lynchburg  on  the  night  after  the  battle,  he 
expected  the  regiment  would  be  captured.  It  seemed  necessary 
that  some  regiment  must  be  sacrificed  to  give  the  main  force  the 
start  in  the  race  that  was  to  follow.  But  a  good  fortune  favored 
the  Eighteenth  and  nearly  every  man  escaped.  A  few  fell  down 
by  the  way  from  fatigue,  went  to  sleep,  and  were  captured. 
Among  this  number  was  Sergeant  Hently  Shaxy,  of  Norwich, 
Company  I.  He  had  a 'long  confinement  in  rebeldom  before  his 
return  to  the  regiment.  All  night  long  the  weary  march  was 
kept  up.  Halted  early  the  next  morning  near  Little  Otter  Creek, 
not  far  from  the  camp-ground  of  the  night  previous. 

At  this  point,  on  the  morning  of  the  JQth,  the  different  detach 
ments  of  the  Eighteenth  were  again  united.  Their  escapes 
were  truly  wonderful,  especially  Companies  H,  under  Lieut. 
Caruthers,  who  skirmished  with  the  enemy  until  passing  the 
Quaker  church,  and  D  and  G,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Bixby. 
These  companies  had  been  left  on  the  skirmish  line  in  front  of 
Lynchburg  early  on  the  previous  evening  with  instructions  to  keep 
up  a  brisk  fire,  in  order  to  better  conceal  the  real  movements  of 
Hunter.  They  wrere  not  relieved  until  a  very  late  hour  and  then 
made  excellent  time  in  joining  the  main  body  of  the  regiment, 
which  was  very  much  exposed  throughout  the  whole  of  that  first 
night's  march  from  Lynchburg.  Col.  Peale  asked  Col.  Thoburn, 
who  had  acted  as  a  brigade  commander  during  the  battle,  why  he 
left  the  Eighteenth  in  such  an  exposed  position  unsupported.  He 
replied:  'Because  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  stay  where  they  are 
put/'  It  -was  necessary  they  should  hold  the  position  assigned  them 
the  night  previous  until  the  last  minute,  and  they  did  so.  The 
compliment  of  Col.  'Thoburn  was  well  deserved. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  259 


In  this  reference  there  is  no  desire  to  make  invidious  cornpari 
sons.  Other  regiments  did  nobly  and  their  record  ought  to  be 
preserved.  In  writing  the  history  of  a  single  regiment  it  is  im 
possible  to  say  much  with  reference  to  others  without  making 
the  work  too  large.  But  this  much  should  be  said,  that  it  was 
the  good  fortune  of  the  Eighteenth  to  be  associated  with  the 
most  true  and  gallant  of  all  the  Union  army.  Among  them 
might  be  named  the  First,  the  Fourth  and  Twelfth  Virginia  In 
fantry,  Snow's  Maryland  Battery,  the  Fifth  New  York  Heavy 
Artillery,  and  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachusetts  Infantry.  The 
West  Virginians  were  not  noted  for  the  very  best  order  on  the 
march,  but  they  were  splendid  fighters  and  as  true  every  time  as 
steel.  Their  officers,  among  whom  was  Col.  Thoburn,  were  noble 
and  brave.  Of  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachusetts,  and  their  officers, 
much  could  be  said  in  their  praise.  At  New  Market,  where  the 
gallant  Lieut.-Col.  Lincoln  was  severely  wounded,  they  bore  the 
brunt  of  the  battle  and  covered  themselves  with  glory.  At 
Piedmont  they  made  a  splendid  flank  movement  and  charge, 
which  contributed  greatly  to  the  glorious  victory  of  that  day.  At 
Lynchburg,  and  on  the  retreat,  they  maintained  their  credit  well 
and  proved  themselves  worthy  of  the  gratitude  of  the  people  of 
the  old  Bay  State,  the  honor  of  whom  they  did  so  nobly  sustain. 
The  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  and  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-Third  Ohio  Infantry,  also  deserve  to  be  honorably  men 
tioned  in  connection  with  Hunter's  raid.  A  faithful  history  of  all 
these  regiments,  and  others,  the  names  of  which  do  not  now  occur 
to  the  writer,  would  form  a  work  of  great  interest  and  honor  to 
all  concerned.  Would  some  pen  might  write  it! 

Whatever  were  the  mistakes  in  generalship  on  the  part  of 
Hunter,  the  rebels  had  but  little  to  boast  of  on  their  part.  It 
was  greatly  to  the  discredit  of  their  commanders  that  the  whole 
Yankee  army  was  not  captured.  It  is  proof  that  the  Union  force 
fought  well,  and  especially  that  the  Eighteenth  made  a  handsome 
show  of  fight  until  the  very  last.  In  one  report  of  the  rebels  it 


26o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


was  confessed  that  "had  the  Yankees  remained  until  morning 
they  would  all  have  been  captured."  It  was  an  official  rebel  re 
port  which  acknowledged  the  retreat,  and  also  that  during  the 
battle,  and  the  retreat  as  far  as  New  London,  only  forty  prisoners 
were  captured.  Another  report  said  that  three  pieces  of  artillery 
were  captured,  but  this  was  admitted  by  the  same  authority  after 
ward  to  be  a  mistake,  while  not  a  wagon  of  the  whole  train  was 
taken,  as  before  stated.  However,  it  must  be  admitted  that  the 
failure  to  capture  Lynchburg  was  a  great  disappointment  to  Gen 
erals  Hunter,  Sullivan,  Crook  and  Averill,  and  to  the  whole 
army  also.  It  was  thought  by  many  of  the  officers  and  men  that 
the  great  mistake  of  Hunter  was  that  he  did  not  press  on  after 
his  success  at  the  "Quaker"  church  on  the  previous  evening, 
where  one  piece  of  artillery  was  captured  from  the  enemy,  and 
the  rebel  force  was  somewhat  demoralized.  Gen.  Grant,  in  an 
official  report  of  Hunter's  movements  up  the  valley,  says:  "Owing 
to  a  want  of  ammunition  to  give  battle,  Hunter  retired  from  be 
fore  Lynchburg  and  was  left  no  choice  of  return  but  by  the  Ka- 
nawha.  I  have  no  doubt  he  acted  within  what  he  considered  the 
spirit  of  his  instructions,  and  the  interests  of  the  service.  The 
promptitude  of  his  movements  and  his  gallantry  should  entitle 
him  to  the  commendation  of  his  country.  It  is  saying  only  the 
truth,  however,  that  Gen.  Hunter  was  never  very  popular  with 
his  command  as  a  whole.  He  was  called  a  good  fighter  but  was 
regarded  as  careless  of  the  wants  of  his  men.  It  was  a  common 
saying  among  a  certain  class  of  his  men  that  he  thought  more  of 
the  negro  than  he  did  of  a  soldier,  because  negroes  rode  in 
the  wagons  while  wearied  and  wounded  soldiers  marched. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  261 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


THE  RETREAT  FROM  LYNCH  BURG. 


The  rebels  were  evidently  deeply  disappointed  too  in  the  move 
ments  of  Gen.  Hunter.  After  Early's  appearance  with  his  thirty 
thousand  men,  they  hoped  to  "bag"  the  whole  Union  force  within 
a  few  miles  of  Lynchburg.  But  the  "bird  had  flown."  However, 
the  rebels  pursued  on  the,  iQth  of  June,  while  Gen.  Hunter  re 
treated  from  Otter  Creek  at  his  leisure,  arriving  again  at  Liberty 
Sunday  afternoon  about  three  o'clock.  It  was  exceedingly  hot, 
and  the  boys  began  to  suffer  severely  from  fatigue  and  heat.  Gen. 
Hunter  marched  his  forces  in  the  direction  of  Salem,  leaving  the 
Peaks  of  Otter  to  the  right.  The  view  from  this  point  was 
beautiful  and  grand.  After  marching  a  few  miles  halted, 
the  Eighteenth  lying  on  their  arms  all  night  in  the  woods.  In 
the  meantime,  or  about  sunset,  the  rebels  made  a  furious  attack 
upon  our  rear  guard,  which  was  handsomely  repelled  by  Gen. 
Av^rill,  who  captured  fifty  of  the  enemy.  The  Union  loss  was 
not  known.  There  was  no  disturbance  during  the  night,  though 
the  renewal  of  the  rebel  attack  was  momentarily  expected.  It  was 
a  dismal,  disheartening  night,  during  which,  however,  some  of 
the  men  who  had  been  prostrated  with  the  extreme  heat  of  the 
day  rejoined  their  companions;  among  whom  were  Sergeant  Wm. 
Hillard,  Company  E,  and  Frank  W.  Cheney,  of  Company  D. 
The  former  was  taken  quite  ill  before  reaching  Liberty,  and  fell 
to  the  rear.  A  large  dose  of  the  "Balm  of  Gilead"  revived 


262  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


him,  and  he  was  put  upon  a  horse  belonging  to  one  of  the 
stafY,  and  both  came  into  camp  at  last  in  pretty  good  condition, 
all  things  considered.  It  was  a  marvel  that  men  could  endure 
such  hardship.  It  was  the  third  night  since  the  regiment 
had  had  an  undisturbed  rest  in  sleep,  although  the  rear  guard 
was  known  to  be  in  great  danger.  The  men  were  so  weary 
they  could  sleep  under  almost  any  circumstances.  June  2Oth, 
as  soon  as  it  was  light  were  on  the  move  again.  About  noon, 
halted  at  a  place  called  "Big  Lick"  and  rested  in  a  fine  wood-lot, 
on  a  hill  to  the  right  of  the  pike,  until  near  sunset.  At  this  place 
a  little  altercation  took  place  among  some  of  the  boys  about 
rations,  but  the  matter  was  soon  adjusted,  and  a  few  hours  of 
real  rest  were  enjoyed.'  It  was  the  intention  to  have  remained 
in  this  place  all  night,  but  the  rebels  had  come  up"*  with  our 
rear  guard  again,  and  for  a  time  the  firing  was  quick  and  sharp. 
Then  came  the  order,  "fall  in."  "Too  bad/' say  a  score  of  voices. 
But  no  matter,  the  Eighteenth  soon  marches  down  the  hill,  on  to 
the  pike,  and  is  put  in  charge  of  the  wagon  train  for  the  night, 
moving  on  to  Salem.  It  was  a  tiresome  march,  but  orderly,  al 
though  some  of  the  men  fell  asleep  by  the  roadside.  They 
would  sleep  riding  or  marching,  and  at  every  halt  most  all 
would  be  asleep  at  once.  During  the  night  halted  at  Hot 
Springs,  the  first  place  of  pleasurable  resort  on  the  route,  but  no 
one  had  any  idea  of  remaining  for  their  health.  Most  of 
the  time  we  were  near  the  line  of  the  Virginia  and  Tennessee 
Railroad;  the  bridges  were  burned  and  the  flames  lighted  up  the 
country  around.  Reached  Salem  about  seven  A.  M. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  Eighteenth  at  this  place,  sugar 
and  coffee  were  issued,  with  fresh  meat,  and  the  boys  made  haste 
to  prepare  a  breakfast  after  their  long  night  march,  but  the 
rebels  commenced  blazing  away  again  in  the  rear,  and  before 
breakfast  was  half  ready  the  order  came  to  "fall  in."  This  was 
downright  provoking.  One  mess  had  a  nice  soup,  well  flavored, 
just  ready  to  serve  up.  "Kelly,"  the  butcher,  had  caught  a  fine 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  26. 


sheep  that  morning  which  was  "sliced  up"  for  the  occasion,  other 
things  had  been  foraged,  and  there  was  the  promise  of  a  good 
time  generally,  until  that  command  "fall  in"  was  sent  clown  the 
line.  But  there  was  no  help  for  it,  and  the  Eighteenth,  with  other 
regiments,  was  marched  a  half  mile  to  the  rear,  and  placed  in  line 
of  battle  in  the  woods  waiting  for  something  to  turn  up.  And 
something  did  turn  up  in  front,  however,  instead  of  at  the  rear. 
Col.  Thoburn's  A.  A.  G.  soon  came  along,  and  to  the  inquiries: 
"What  is  up  now?  Where  are  you  going?"  He  replied:  "Back 
a  little  way  after  the  rebels."  "But  you  are  going  the  wrong 
way  to  look  for  the  enemy,"  said  his  inquisitor.  "This  demon 
stration  in  the  rear  is  only  a  ruse  of  the  rebels  to  get  into  our 
front,"  he  replied.  And  so  it  proved,  for  while  the  Union  forces 
were  lying  on  their  arms  in  the  woods,  at  the  expense  of  their 
breakfast  too,  the  enemy  had  managed  to  get  into  a  fine  position 
in  front,  a  mile  or  two  from  Salem,  in  the  mountains,  and  had 
nearly  destroyed  one  whole  battery  of  artillery,  capturing  nearly 
eighty  horses,  unlimbering  several  guns  and  wounding  many  men. 
Of  course  after  this  mischief  was  done,  Hunter  thought  it  was 
time  to  be  marching  on.  The  Eighteenth,  having  advanced 
into  the  woods,  marched  out  again,  and  passed  through  Salem 
under  a  scorching  sun.  Salem  seemed  to  be  surrounded  with 
mountains — a  small,  low  place.  With  the  sun  pouring  down  its 
intense  heat  upon  the  poor,  hungry,  tired  men,  the  advance  was 
almost  unendurable.  Just  as  the  troops  began  the  oscent  of  a  steep 
hill,  and  at  a  short  turn  in  the  road,  Gen.  Hunter  suddenly 
appeared  in  front  looking  blacker  and  more  savage  than  ever. 
That  little  matter  in  front  had  excited  him,  and  his  appearance 
just  then  was  amusing  to  say  the  least.  It  was  really  a  sober 
affair,  and  yet  one  could  hardly  restrain  from  laughing  to  see  the 
gruff  old  general  "fly  about,"  forming  his  line  of  battle  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill.  The  "rebs"  who  had  caused  all  this  excitement 
were  now  fairly  out  of  the  wny,  looking  out  from  some  of  their 
hiding  places  and  enjoying  the  excitement  they  had  made  among 


264  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


the  Yankees.  Very  soon  the  Eighteenth  arrived  at  the  scene  of 
disaster.  The  place  was  well  chosen  by  the  rebels,  and  it  was  a 
great  wonder  that  they  did  not  effect  more  injury  than  they  did. 
Their  position  was  upon  a  high  cliff  within  fair  musket  range  of 
the  top  of  the  hill  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  wa)  over  which  the 
Union  troops  were  to  pass.  It  was  a  place  of  concealment,  and 
had  the  enemy  been  so  disposed  they  might  have  remained 
there  the  whole  time  Hunter's  army  was  passing  without  being 
discovered.  But  watching  their  opportunity,  and  seeing  the  bat 
tery  passing  without  proper  protection,  they  improved  the  time 
to  make  an  attack,  which  was  so  sudden  and  unexpected  that  the 
men  in  charge  made  no  attempt  to  defend  themselves,  but  left 
their  guns  and  ran  for 'their  lives.  It  was  well  they  did  so,  or  all 
of  them  would  have  been  killed  or  captured.  The  unresisted 
rebels  made  quick  work  of  it,  and  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell 
the  story  were  off  with  their  captured  horses,  and  such  light 
articles  as  they  could  conveniently  carry.  The  guns  were  left  un- 
limbered  by  the  wayside.  The  attacking  party  was  thought  to 
number  about  one  hundred.  The  whole  affair  made  quite  a  stir 
along  the  line  of  march  that  day.  A  few  miles  farther  on  we  came 
to  a  place  called  Mason's  Cove,  and  halted  there  an  hour  or  two 
for  rest,  to  finish  breakfast  and  get  a  warm  dinner.  To  say  that 
the  occurrences  of  the  day  thus  far  greatly  dispirited  the  men  is 
only  a  faint  expression.  The  general  impression  was  that  as  the 
Union  army  had  fairly  got  into  the  mountains  all  would  be  cap 
tured  or  starved  to  death.  But  this  was  only  the  "beginning  of 
sorrows."  Had  the  men  known  at  that  time  all  the  dangers 
before  them  for  the  next  six  days,  every  heart  would  have  fainted 
and  every  man  given  up  at  the  outset.  Happily  they  were 
unconscious  of  what  awaited  them.  The  next  move  brought 
the  Eighteenth  to  the  ascent  of  '-Walker's  Mountain/'  a  difficult 
ascent,  long  and  in  some  places  steep  and  rough.  It  was 
passed  at  length,  and  a  place  called  "Sinking,"  on  the  Salem  and 
Catawba  pike,  was  reached  a  short  time  after  sunset,  where  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  265 


night  was  spent  in  a  refreshing  rest.  The  next  morning,  June 
22cl,  was  very  fine.  Fortunately  the  boys  had  come  very  unex 
pectedly  upon  a  half  dozen  barrels  of  Hour  just  before  going  into 
camp.  There  was  a  flour  mill  and  a  few  farm  houses  near  by, 
and  the  forage  contributed  a  little  to  the  comfort  of  the  boys. 
But  what  was  this  among  so  many.  "Toe  jams"  were  more 
common  than  usual  the  first  morning  in  the  mountains.  "Toe 
jams!"  and  what  were  these  ?  Let  us  see.  Flour  or  meal  mixed 
with  water,  shortened  with  water,  salted  with  water,  and  fried  in 
well-water,  if  no  "grease"  could  be  found,  and  then  eaten  with 
water,  if  we  had  no  coffee,  and  perhaps  a  bit  of  fresh  meat. 
Many  a  hungry  officer  or  private  was  thankful  enough  for  this 
poor  stuff  for  breakfast  on  that  sacl  morning.  The  writer  will 
never  forget  the  sorrowful  faces  that  met  him  at  Sinking.  The 
spirits  of  the  men  tallied  well  with  the  name  of  the  place. 

One  soldier,  whom  the  writer  will  call  "Bill,"  and  whom  every 
member  of  the  Eighteenth  will  recognize  by  that  name,  was  an 
indispensable  adjunct  to  the  teams  on  a  march,  and  to  the  hos 
pital  when  in  camp.  Well,  Bill  sat  eating  his  "toe  jam,"  with  a 
face  so  elongated  as  to  be  catching.  At  length,  with  an  inde 
scribable  sigh,  he  looked  up  and  said:"!  tell  you,  Chaplain,  we 
are  in  a  serious  fix;  we  never  shall  get  out  of  this  in  this  world." 
The  look  and  the  tone  "brought  down  the  house,"  and  poor  "Bill'* 
looked  on  in  mute  astonishment  to  see  his  chaplain  laugh  so 
rudely  under  such  serious  circumstances.  A  little  way  off  were 
the  smoking  ruins  of  Hunter's  pontoon  train,  the  army  was  far 
away  from  their  base  of  supplies,  and  the  men  were  weary,  faint 
and  hungry,  and  "Bill"  didn't  see  much  to  laugh  at.  Neither  did 
the  chaplain,  but  he  laughed  though.  Some  of  the  boys,  how 
ever,  thought  the  laugh  was  something  put  on  for  the  occasion 
and  they  were  more  than  half  right.  It  was  a  serious  time,  but 
yielding  to  fear  and  despair  did  not  help  matters. 

The   second  day's   march   of  the  regiment  among  the  moun- 

J  o  *^* 

tains  of  Virginia  was  one  of  peculiar  interest.      Every  hour's  ad- 

b4 


266  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


vance  revealed  new  wonders  and  marvellous  experiences.  The 
scenery  became  grand  and  imposing.  The  road  lay  between  the 
mountains,  or  through  the  valley,  and  was  not  very  hilly.  The 
day,  however,  was  excessively  hot,  and  the  men  suffered  severely. 
There  were  but  few  houses  on  the  route,  and  these  gave  evidence 
of  the  great  poverty  of  the  people.  The  log  houses  of  the  moun 
tain  regions  of  the  Alleghanies  looked  anything  but  comfortable. 
There  was  hardly  a  man  to  be  seen,  and  the  women  were  coarse, 
sallow,  and  altogether  unlovely — gawky  specimens  of  ill-dressed 
humanity,  having  ropy  hair,  and  were  barefooted  or  stand 
ing  in  clouted  brogans,  and  exhibiting  great  clawing  hands.  The 
general  appearance  of  the  women,  almost  without  exception, 
bore  unmistakable  sighs  of  uncultivation,  of  rusticity  and  degra 
dation.  In  some  cases  their  condition  was  most  pitiable  and 
heart  touching.  While  the  men  had  run  to  some  hiding  place  on 
the  approach  of  the  army,  the  women  in  most  instances  would 
remain  in  or  near  their  miserable  looking  cabins,  with  their  little 
children,  to  protect  what  little  they  had  of  this  world's  goods 
that  was  not  secreted.  It  was  their  plan  to  hide  what  they 
could,  or  a  great  part  of  their  domestic  possessions,  and  then  make 
a  great  ado  about  the  soldiers  taking  what  there  was  left.  The 
women  could  manage  this  programme  better  than  the  men.  This 
plan  did  not  always  succeed.  The  boys  learned  the  ways  of  these 
mountain  people  after  a  while,  and  sometimes  showed  them  a  few 
Yankee  tricks  in  their  foraging  expeditions.  At  Sinking,  where 
a  little  foramnof  was  done,  the  boys  entered  one  house  and  in- 

o       o  J 

quired:  ''Have  you  got  any  Hour?"  "No,  not  a  bit,  the  soldiers 
just  gone  took  everything,  and  we  have  nothing  left,"  was  the 
quick  reply.  They  did  not  believe  her,  and  went  looking  into 
things.  Directly  the  oven  door  in  an  old  fashioned  chimney 
was  opened,  and  the  ashes  began  to  fall  on  the  Boor,  and  a  little 
"digging"  revealed  three  sacks  of  flour.  "Oh,"  said  one  of  the 
men,  "I  thought  you  had  no  flour."  "Well,  you  have  found  it," 
was  the  eool  reply. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  267 


At  another  poor,  miserable  looking  house,  a  woman  was  found 
with  three  or  four  as  dirty  looking  children  as  ever  were  seen, 
making  a  great  ado  about  her  lasses  and  the  prospect  of  her  chil 
dren  starving  to  death.  There  she  stood  crying  and  wringing 
her  hands,  saying:  "O  what  shall  we  do?  The  soldiers  have  taken 
the  last  bit  out  of  the  house,  and  these  poor  little  children  will 
starve."  The  children  looked  more  frightened  than  hungry.  But 
there  is  no  doubt  there  were  many  cases  of  actual  want,  and 
this  might  have  been  one  of  them.  But  these  signs  of  distress 
were  assumed  for  effect  as  a  close  search  of  their  premises  testified. 
However,  there  was  much  in  the  appearance  of  the  mountaineers 
to  excite  pity,  and  if  actual  want  and  starvation  had  not  stared 
Union  soldiers  in  the  face  there  was  not  a  place  on  the  route  that 
would  have  been  searched  for  food  on  account  of  their  unprom 
ising  appearance.  The  whole  country  from  Liberty  to  Gauley 
Bridge  would  be  the  last  place  to  send  foraging  parties. 
Even  Newcastle,  where  we  camped  for  the  night  was  a 
poor,  barren  looking  place,  containing  only  a  few  dingy 
houses,  and  a  poverty  stricken  people.  Arrived  at  the 
borders  of  the  town  about  dark,  slept  in  the  open  air,  but  tried 
to  find  a  place  to  sleep  where  one's  body  would  not  be  cut  with 
sharp  stones.  If  any  one  found  anything  for  man  or  beast  to  eat 
that  night  he  was  more  fortunate  than  the  writer.  The  next 
morning,  June  23d,  there  was  not  much  improvement  in  the  way 
of  rations.  Passed  through  the  town  early,  and  about  a  mile 
away  began  the  ascent  of  "Little  Mountain,"  and  then  passed 
through  Barber's  Creek,  and  over  Pott's  Mountain,  a  rough,  wind 
ing  road,  and  in  some  places  almost  impassable.  Team  horses 
and  mules  began  to  give  out  more  frequently,  and  were  shot  to 
prevent  them  becoming  serviceable  to  the  mountain  guerillas.  It 
has  been  said  that  one  hundred  and  ninety  dead  horses  were 
counted  that  day.  No  doubt  the  number  was  very  large,  and  the 
prospect  of  greater  fatality  was  quite  apparent.  The  ascent 
of  Pott's  Mountain,  especially,  was  exceedingly  trying  to  man  and 


268  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


beast.  This  was  begun  about  two  P.  M.,  and  consumed  the  re 
mainder  of  the  day  until  about  sunset.  From  the  top  of  this 
mountain  was  obtained  the  grandest  view  of  the  whole  march. 
As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  for  miles  in  every  direction,  the 
mountains  appeared  like  a  vast  rolling  sea,  or  like  waves  of  the 
ocean  rising  one  above  the  other  in  awful  grandeur.  ''Alps  on 
Alps  arise."  The  last  rays  of  a  golden  sunset  gave  a  beauty  and 
glory  to  the  scene  perfectly  enchanting  and  indescribable.  It 
was  a  sight  that  was  worth  all  it  cost  of  privation  and  suffering  to 
enjoy.  The  impression  of  the  majestic  wonders  of  creation  will 
never  be  effaced  from  the  minds  of  those  who  could  at  that  time 
appreciate  them.  The  descent  was  almost  as  difficult  as  the  ascent; 
the  men  were  so  weary  they  could  hardly  stand  up,  and  they 
went  on  stumbling  and  staggering  until  they  halted  about  dark 
at  "Sweet  Springs."  Those  on  horse  back  were  not  much  better 
off  and  it  seemed  that  the  command,  halt,  would  never  come. 
The  experiences  of  that  day  were  terrible.  All  slept  soundly 
that  night. 

The  morning  of  June  24th  was  clear  and  beautiful,  and  the 
Eighteenth  was  stopping  at  one  of  the  most  fashionable  watering 
places  in  the  Alleghanies.  It  has  been  said  that  one  of  the  most 
noticeable  things  of  the  late  civil  war  was  the  discovery  of  Virginia 
and  the  Southern  States  by  the  Yankees.  Here  was  a  new  dis 
covery,  a  "sweet  spring."  The  morning  of  June  24th  was  de 
voted  to  the  discovery  and  examination  of  the  large  hotel  near  by, 
and  the  valley  generally.  A  large  number  of  the  men  engaged 
rooms  for  the  season,  or  to  be  occupied  when  they  should  have  a 
little  more  leisure  to  enjoy  the  fine  scenery  of  the  place.  Many, 
however,  who  tried  the  "sweet  waters"  had  tasted  better  in 
Connecticut,  or  even  in  the  Shenandoah,  and  abandoned  the  idea 
of  foraging  on  the  spring  for  future  use.  There  was  a  fine  arti 
ficial  place  for  bathing  purposes  in  the  hotel — a  large  room  or  re 
servoir  in  the  centre  of  the  building,  with  sky-lights,  about  twenty 
feet  square,  and  dressing-rooms  adjoining  for  the  use  of  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  269 


guests.  All  these  advantages  for  bathing  were  well  improved 
that  morning,  and  the  bath  house  was  alive  with  Yankees  for 
once.  The  water  was  about  five  feet  deep  and  seemed  peculiarly 
invigorating  and  refreshing  to  men  who  had  been  marching 
without  change  for  so  many  days  in  succession.  Nearly  a  whole 
day  spent  here  was  a  great  treat  to  the  Eighteenth.  They  had 
a  little  time  to  rest,  wash  and  "slick  up."  About  nine  P.  M. 
we  were  placed  in  charge  of  the  wagon  train  for  a  night's 
march.  At  ten  P.  M.  halted  in  a  mountain  pass  as  dark  as  mid 
night.  It  was  one  of  the  most  frightful  looking  places  encountered 
yet  in  the  mountains.  The  march  to  this  point  had  been  very 
rapid  and  fatiguing,  and  the  men  were  so  exhausted  that  as  soon 
as  the  command  was  given  to  halt  every  man  fell  clown 
on  the  ground  and  was  asleep  apparently  in  a  minute.  Here 
the  force  waited  for  an  hour  or  two,  it  was  said,  for  the  moon  to 
rise.  At  length  the  moon  rose  over  the  mountains  to  the  right, 
and  lighted  up  the  narrow  gorge.  The  men  were  awakened  and 
began  to  make  their  coffee.  The  order  came  to  march  before 
they  had  time  to  drink  it,  and  they  went  marching  on,  coffee 
smoking  in  hand.  Directly  rapid  musketry  firing  was  heard  in 
the  rear,  and  there  was  almost  a  panic.  Soon  the  way  was  jammed 
full  of  soldiers  on  foot  and  horse,  and  the  cry  was  heard:  "The 
"rebels  are  coming."  After  a  little  talking  by  the  chaplain  the 
boys  fell  back  and  then  marched  on  as  usual.  It  was  only  a  scare 
on  the  part  of  the  rear  guard  to  rouse  up  the  sleepers.  It  was 
successful,  as  some  can  testify  who  came  very  near  being  "run 
down"  by  the  stampeders.  The  morning  soon  came  and  re 
vealed  the  largest  numbr.r  of  soldiers  who  had  fallen  asleep  by  the 
wayside,  seen  at  any  time  during  the  raid.  Poor  fellows, 
they  looked  completely  worn  out,  but  on  being  summoned  to 
"wake  up  here,  wake  up,  the  rebels  will  catch  you,"  they  were 
soon  in  line,  such  as  it  was,  marching  on.  Reached  White  Sul 
phur  Springs,  another  famous  watering  place,  about  six  o'clock 
A.  M.,  and  halted  about  half  a  mile  from  the  hotel  stand  near  the 


270  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


healing  waters,  although  it  is  said  it  is  not  so  much  as  an  invalids 
resort  that  these  springs  are  famous.  One  thing  is  sure,  those 
famous  springs  never  had  more  invalids  in  proximity  to  them 
than  on  that  June  morning,  the  25th.  Of  course  the  boys  said 
they  were  there  tor  their  health  and  intended  to  stay  until  they 
fully  recovered.  Some  of  them  began  operations  by  making 
a  "change  of  linen,"  waiting  in  the  meantime  for  their  garments 
to  dry.  Being  shirtless  for  two  or  three  hours  was  no  hardship  in 
view  of  the  prospect  of  feeling  clean  once  more. 

White  Sulphur  Springs  is  a  beautiful  post  village  of  Greenbrier 
County,  containing  the  principal  mineral  spring  of  Virginia,  on 
Howard's  Creek,  two  hundred  and  five  miles  west  of  Richmond, 
eighty  from  Lynchburg,  and  nine  miles  east  of  Lewisburg.  It 
consists  of  buildings  or  cottages  arranged  in  a  circular  form,  with 
a  large  hotel  located  near  the  springs,  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
village.  The  springs  are  covered  with  a  dome  supported  by  twelve 
Ionic  columns  and  crowned  with  a  statue  of  Hygeia,  the  goddess 
of  health,  and  a  daughter  of  Esculapias.  The  artist  represents 
her  as  a  virgin  in  flowing  garments  feeding  a  serpent  from  a  cup. 
The  poets  speak  of  her  as  the  smiling  goddess.  The  springs  are 
about  two  thousand  feet  above  tide  water  and  yields  about  thirty 
gallons  per  minute.  This  water  was  used  for  medicinal  purposes 
at  first  in  i  778;  in  1820  the  place  had  become  a  fashionable  resort, 
and  at  the  time  of  the  visit  of  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Vol- 

/-> 

unteers,  the  buildings  would  accommodate  from  one  thousand 
five  hundred  to  two  thousand  guests.  The  proprietors,  no 
doubt,  had  not  expected  so  large  a  company  as  Hunter's  whole 
army,  and  of  course  were  not  prepared  to  entertain  them.  Indeed 
it  was  quite  evident  they  did  not  relish  the  idea  of  so  large  a 
number  of  guests,  as  they  did  not  remain  at  home  to  welcome 
them.  This  gave  the  boys  the  opportunity  of  discovery  and 
helping  themselves.  They  paid  their  respects  to  nearly  every 
house  and  the  hotel,  and  did  not  forget  to  drink  of  the  "healing 
waters."  A  half  day's  stay,  however,  was  hardly  sufficient  to 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  271 

secure  all  the  advantages  of  the  place,  but  the  time  was  well  im 
proved,  and  not  a  few  wished  that  "when  this  cruel  war  was  over" 
they  might  come  this  way  again. 

Now  appear  two  cavalrymen  riding,  one  on  Col.  Peale's  horse, 
and  the  other  on  Dr.  Holbrook's.  The  night  before  these  chaps 
had  stolen  the  horses,  and  as  a  kind  providence  would  have  it, 
they  come  riding  very  unexpectedly  into  the  lines  of  the  Eight 
eenth.  They  were  not  a  little  "struck  back"  when  they  learned 
the  real  situation.  However,  the  colonel  and  surgeon  were 
highly  delighted  to  see  them,  and  especially  their  horses.  But 
the  fellows  did  not  steal  them;  O!  no,  they  only  found  them  loose 
on  the  way  and  picked  them  up.  Chaplain  Wooclford,  of  the 
Fourth  Virginia  Infantry,  lost  his  horse  in  the  same  way,  but  he 
never  was  fortunate  enough  to  find  it  again.  If  any  man  with 
out  a  horse  did  not  steal  one  on  that  raid  or  march  over  the 
mountains,  if  he  had  an  opportunity,  he  was  a  mighty  honest 
fellow.  On  the  whole,  the  rest  at  this  famous  place  was  quite 
eventful  and  interesting.  It  was  ever  so  much  needed  to 
recruit  the  sick,  weary,  and  sore-footed  men.  The  march 
began  to  tell  with  fearful  effect,  but  as  yet  not  fatally. 
A  great  many  had  been  transferred  to  the  wagons  and  ambulance 
train.  These  conveyances  were  by  this  time  crowded,  and 
nearly  all  of  the  regiment  looked  as  though  a  rest  of  several 
weeks  at  the  springs  would  be  very  beneficial.  Among  this  num 
ber  was  "Dick  Ripley"  the  hospital  steward.  Poor  fellow,  he  was 
really  sick,  and  so  also  was  "Uncle  Rufus,"  Company  D,  belong 
ing  to  the  surgeon's  staff.  He  was  nearly  fagged  out,  and  "David," 
Company  B,  grew  as  thin  as  a  shadow,  and  the  whole  regiment 
began  to  look  as  lean  as  Pharaoh's  lean  kine.  Even  Col.  Ely, 
Major  Peale,  Surgeon  Holbrook  and  others  on  the  staff  appeared 
as  though  a  little  rest  and  more  hard  tack  would  be  highly  ap 
preciated.  Saturday,  June  25th,  until  about  three  o'clock 
P.  M.,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of  the  regiment. 
When  the  order  came  to  forward,  it  was  exceeding  by  hot,  and  the 


272  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


beautiful  valley  seemed  almost  ablaze  with  the  sun's  heat.  Passed 
on  a  few  miles  and  struck  the  left  bank  of  the  Greenbrier  River, 
by  an  unfrequented  way.  The  bridge  had  been  burned 
a  little  time  befo're  when  Averill  came  this  way  to  punish  the 
rebels  of  Greenbrier  County,  as  he  did  quite  effectually.  The 
destruction  of  the  bridge,  however,  interfered  with  travel.  The 
season  being  very  dry,  the  river  was  quite  low,  and  hence  Hunter's 
army  found  it  not  very  difficult  fording.  This  the  Eighteenth 
accomplished  about  five  P.  M.,  and  soon  struck  the  railroad  again. 
Then  began  the  climbing  of  mountains  once  more  to  reach 
Lewisburg.  Arrived  at  this  place  about  dark  after  one  of  the  most 
wearisome  marches  of  all  as  yet.  Hills  were  frequent,  rough  and 
steep.  Men  became  weary  and  sleepy.  Those  on  horse 
back  were  so  tired  they  could  hardly  sit  on  their  horses,  and  rode 
for  miles  in  perfect  agony,  while  the  sufferings  of  the  footmen 
were  indescribable.  It  seemed  that  the  order  to  halt  that  night 
would  never  come  When  passing  through  Lewisburg,  some 
of  the  rebels  vented  their  spite  by  firing  from  their  houses 
and  yards  at  the  boys  in  the  dark.  Fortunately  no  one  was 
hit.  The  rebels  of  Greenbrier  County,  were  noted  for  their 
cruel  hatred  of  Union  soldiers  throughout  the  war,  but  at  this 
time  they  were  more  revengeful  and  inhuman  than  ever.  They 
seemed  to  feel  toward  Gen.  Hunter  a  peculiar  spite  because  he 
was  a  Virginian,  and  spared  no  pains  to  do  all  the  harm  they  could 
this  occassion.  They  bestowed  on  him  all  sorts  of  epithets,  such  as 
traitor,  butcher,  house  burner  and  negro  worshipper,  and  of 
course  held  his  army  in  utter  detestation  and  abhorrence.  Between 
nine  and  ten  o'clock  that  evening  turned  into  a  barren  lot  to  the 
right  and  halted  for  the  night.  The  men  having  little  to 
eat  had  nothing  to  do  but  lie  down  on  the  ground  and  go  to 
sleep,  except  those  on  picket,  and  it  would  not  have  been  sur 
prising  if  the  picket  men  slept  that  night.  In  fact  for  days  before 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  find  men  that  could  watch  even  for 
an  hour  at  their  post,  so  great  was  their  fatigue.  There  was 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  273 


scarcely  a  man  in  the  regiment  that  night  but  that  was  nearly 
famished  with  hunger.  Even  the  officers  lay  down  supperless. 
Oh,  the  thoughts  and  dreams  of  "home."  Loved  ones  there 
were  very  anxious  about  the  wants  and  sufferings  of  husbands, 
brothers  and  sons  in  the  army,  but  what  would  they  have 
suffered  if  they  could  have  seen  the  "boys"  at  any  time  during 
that  eventful  week  in  the  Alleghanies.  God  be  thanked  that 
they  did  not. 

June  26th,  Sabbath.  Resumed  the  march  early  over  a  hilly, 
difficult  road.  A  most  welcome  visitor  to-day  came  in  a  refresh 
ing  shower,  the  first  rain  for  twenty-eight  days.  Never  was  a 
shower  more  gratefully  hailed.  It  gave  new  life  and  strength  to 
everybody,  and  was  the  precursor  of  a  greater  blessing,  the  arrival 
of  a  supply  train  from  Gauley  Bridge.  Camped  for  the  night  at 
"Meadow  Bluffs."  The  next  day,  Monday,  June  27th,  was  a 
memorable  day.  Marched  until  noon,  halted  in  a  dreary  looking 
place,  but  it  looked  pleasant  as  here  the  supply  train  was  wel 
comed  with  cheers  and  shouts  of  joy.  Once  more  hard  tack  was 
issued,  the  first  time  for  nearly  a  week  or  more.  The  scene  that 
followed  was  indescribable.  The  boys  fairly  danced  with  delight, 
and  a  large  number,  in  a  more  sober  way,  expressed  their  joy  and 
thankfulness  to  God  for  succor  afforded  in  such  a  peculiar  time 
of  need.  Spent  the  night  following  here.  The  spirits  of  the  men 
were  high.  The  greatest  danger  of  the  whole  raid  was  passed, 
that  of  famine.  Tuesday,  the  28th,  marched  to  within  eight 
miles  of  Gauley  Bridge.  Drew  hard  tack  again.  The  danger 
now  was  in  over  eating,  as  was  proved  to  be  the  case  with  many. 

June  2gth,  on  the  march  early.  The  scenery  was  grand  and 
imposing.  Passed  two  great  natural  curiosities,  one  called  the 
'•Hawk's  Nest,"  the  other,  "Lover's  Leap,"  on  the  New 
River.  The  former  was  a  ledge  of  rocks  about  one  thousand  one 
hundred  feet  high,  from  the  top  of  which  thousands  of  soldiers 
gazed  with  wonder  upon  the  surrounding  scenery,  and  cast  stones 
into  the  river  flowing  at  its  base.  Halted  here  some  twenty 
06 


274  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


minutes.  There  is  a  romance  connected  with  "Lover's  Leap," 
the  legend  being  that  the  daughter  of  a  celebrated  Indian  chief 
had  tw©  suitors,  and  as  usual,  the  daughter's  choice  was  at 
variance  with  her  father's.  At  length,  the  daughter  requested 
her  father  to  meet  her  at  a  certain  point  on  the  New  River,  and 
she  would  give  her  final  decision.  He  did  so  in  company  with  the 
man  of  his  choice.  The  surprise  and  wonder  of  the  old  chief  was 
overwhelming  when  he  arrived  at  the  spot  indicated  to  behold 
his  daughter  standing  on  the  edge  of  a  fearful  precipice  with  him 
she  loved  by  her  side.  She  then  expostulated  with  her  father  to 
yield  in  favor  of  her  preference,  threatening  at  the  same  time  to 
cast  herself  into  the  river  if  he  would  not.  While  this  parley 
was  going  on  the  rejected  young  man,  who  was  concealed  near 
the  girl's  father,  let  fly  an  arrow  which  pierced  the  heart  of  his 
rival,  but  as  the  latter  was  about  to  fall,  his  fair  mistress  caught 
him  in  her  arms  arid  with  one  super-human  effort,  leaped  into  the 
air  and  was  dashed  in  pieces  on  the  rocks  below,  thus  preferring 
death  with  the  man  whom  jealousy  had  murdered  by  her  side, 
than  to  live  in  wedlock  with  the  person  whom  she  never  could 
love.  Of  course  a  visit  to  these  places  was  a  real  pleasure  and 
gratified  that  feeling  of  curiosity  for  which  Yankees  are  generally 
celebrated.  In  a  few  hours  arrived  at  Gauley  Bridge,  or  the 
place  where  it  once  was.  The  bridge  had  been  burned  in  the 
early  part  of  the  war,  when  Rosecrans  drove  Gen.  Lee  out  ot 
West  Virginia.  On  reaching  the  place,  the  infantry  turned  sud 
denly  to  the  right  and  after  a  half  mile  march  forded  the  river 
where  it  was  quite  difficult  to  find  footing,  the  rocks  being  thick 
in  the  bed  of  the  river.  The  wagons  were  taken  over  near  the 
usual  crossing  in  a  horse  ferry-boat.  It  used  up  the  remainder 
of  the  day  to  effect  the  crossing  and  we  camped  that  night  near 
the  old  battle-ground  of  1862.  Thus  in  ten  days  the  regiment, 
with  Hunter's  army,  had  performed  one  of  the  most  diffi 
cult  and  dangerous  retreats  of  the  war,  marching  about  twenty 
miles  a  day  under  a  broiling  sun,  and  in  the  face  of  appalling 


lie-lit.     ROBERT  KERR. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  275 


dangers  from  starvation  and  death,  for  days  in  succession.  No 
soldiers  were  more  painfully  tried  in  their  courage  and  powers  of 
physical  endurance,  and  still  they  were  patient,  orderly,  obedient 
and  uncomplaining  in  a  wonderful  degree.  They  had  fought 
well,  marched  well,  and  suffered  heroically.  If  Hunter  had  led 
them  poorly  and  unwisely,  it  was  no  fault  of  theirs.  Rather  it 
was  all  the  more  to  their  praise  that  they  discovered  the  best 
qualities  of  good  soldiers  under  trying  circumstances  entirely 
beyond  their  control.  It  was  necessary  for  the  salvation  of 
Hunter's  army  that  this  retreat  should  be  made.  It  required 
pluck  to  clo  it.  No  regiment  in  the  command  displayed  that 
quality  more  than  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers.  It  is 
not  known  that  a  single  man  perished  in  the  mountains.  A  few 
were  taken  prisoners  at  the  beginning  of  the  retreat,  but  none 
afterwards.  But  all  the  men,  with  hardly  an  exception,  were 
thin,  haggard  and  careworn  on  their  arrival  at  Gauley  Bridge. 
"Dick  Ripley"  was  so  extremely  ill  it  was  thought  at  one  time 
he  must  die  after  he  had  escaped  the  dangers  of  the  mountains. 
The  liberal  rations,  after  so  many  days  of  comparative  fasting, 
were  decidedly  injurious,  and  stomach  disorders  prevailed  very 
extensively  the  next  day  after  Gauley  Bridge  was  reached.  The 
medical  supplies  had  been  exhausted  for  several  days,  and  there 
was  great  inquiry  for  medicine,  but  Dr.  Holbrook  was  unable  to 
furnish  the  much  needed  supplies,  and  other  surgeons  were  simi 
larly  situated.  Of  course  there  was  some  complaining  under 
these  circumstances.  In  fact,  it  is  surprising  that  there  was  no 
more.  If  officers  and  men  were  nervous  and  even  selfish,  the 
wonder  is  that  they  were  not  more  so.  The  writer  at  the  time 
was  surprised  that  the  rank  and  file  preserved  such  good  spirits 
as  they  did.  Had  they  been  more  surly  and  fault-finding,  no 
one  could  have  blamed  them,  and  it  could  have  been  easily  ac 
counted  and  apologized  for.  These  were  times  that  tried  men's 
souls,  their  tempers,  their  patience  and  faith,  and  as  a  whole 
they  stood  the  test  well.  They  are  good  soldiers  who  endure 
hardships  well. 


276  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


After  two  days'  rest  at  Gauley  Bridge,  in  which  the  regiment 
was  once  more  mustered  for  pay,  and  somewhat  recruited, 
the  order  was  given  to  march.  Accordingly  on  Saturday,  [uly  2d, 
started  for  Camp  Piatt,  twenty-six  miles  away.  At  noon,  halted 
at  a  place  called  Tompkin's  farm  for  a  few  hours.  At  this  place 
it  was  said  a  sister  of  Gen.  Grant  resided  and  of  course  her  house 
was  made  the  headquarters  of  the  command.  Many  of  the  boys 
professed  to  have  seen  the  wonderful  lady,  but  whether  they  did 
or  not,  or  whether  there  was  any  such  person,  the  stories  answered 
very  well  to  give  variety  to  the  day's  march,  which  proved  to  be 
an  extremely  hard  and  tiresome  one.  It  being  very  warm,  and 
the  boys  having  had  a  little  reaction  of  physical  energy  after 
their  escape  from  the  mountains,  the  march  was  all  the  more 
wearisome  and  exhaustive.  More  than  the  usual  number  fell  out 
of  the  ranks,  and  in  a  few  instances  men  found  refuse  in  the 

O 

houses  of  loyal  citizens  by  the  way.  The  Eighteenth  was  now 
in  the  famous  valley  of  "Kanawha."  The  citizens  generally  were 
friendly,  and  gave  aid  to  the  weary,  sick  soldier  in  not  a  few  in 
stances.  The  valley  is  narrow  but  the  scenery  is  exquisitely 
beautiful,  the  soil  very  productive,  and  the  mountains  abound  in 
coal  and  minerals.  Much  interest  was  elicited  in  passing  several 
coal  and  oil  wells.  The  frequent  railways  up  the  sides  of  the 
mountains  showed  that  every  one  in  that  region  had  not  gone  to 
the  war  and  that  some  were  making  money  while  the  soldiers 
were  marching  on.  Arrived  at  Camp  Piatt  about  dark,  and  slept 
in  the  open  air,  after  delivering  up  the  teams  and  horses  into  the 
hands  of  the  teamsters  to  be  taken  overland  to  Cumberland, 
nearly  a  hundred  miles  distant.  It  was  a  night  of  comparative 
quiet  and  rest.  The  great  march  from  Lynchburg  was  ended. 
The  race,  however,  with  Early  for  Martinsburg  had  but  begun. 
Early  by  this  time  was  well  down  the  Shenandoah. 

July  3d,  Sunday,  remained  at  Camp  Piatt  until  nearly  noon 
waiting  for  transportation.  At  length  two  large  double  decked 
steamers  arrived.  These  two-story  transports  were  a  novelty  to 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  277. 


most  of  the  boys,  and  their  appearance  excited  no  little  interest. 
Camp  Piatt  is  not  much  of  a  place,  and  if  it  had  been  there 
would  not  have  been  much  business  at  sight  seeing  as  the  men 
were  in  a  too  depressed  and  dilapidated  condition  to  take  much 
notice  of  anything  but  the  transports  which  were  to  bear  them 
away  from  the  dismal  place.  Went  on  board  about  noon,  eight 
companies  on  one  boat,  and  two  on  another,  and  were  not  crowded. 
The  passage  down  the  Kanawha  was  very  pleasant.  The  day 
being  fine,  and  no  duty  to  perform,  the  boys  lay  around  and  took 
things  easy.  Neverdidmen  need  rest  more,  and  still  the  sudden 
change  from  hardship  to  ease,  and  from  want  to  plenty,  had  its 
dangers  and  was  attended  with  considerable  sickness.  At  sunset 
hauled  up  at  a  place  called  Charleston  for  the  night,  as  the  river 
was  so  low  it  could  be  navigated  only  by  daylight.  About 
dark  the  boys  gathered  on  the  upper  deck  and  had  one  of  their 
old  fashioned  singing  meetings.  Their  voices  seemed  to  have  the 
old  Martinsburg  ring  to  them,  and  the  season  was  one  of  tender 
interest  and  filled  the  mind  with  thoughts  of  ''home,  sweet 
home."  The  rest  of  the  night  that  followed  was  refreshing,  if 
the  boys  did  not  repose  upon  a  bed  of  down.  The  "soft  side" 
of  the  deck  floor  was  full  hard  enough  for  comfort. 

July  4th,  Independence  Day.  This  one  will  never  be  forgotten 
by  the  Eighteenth.  Very  pleasant.  Started  early.  The  boys 
in  excellent  spirits.  The  country  on  each  side  beautiful,  and 
near  the  river,  rich  and  fertile.  About  noon  arrived  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  at  the  junction  of  the  Kanawha  and  the  Ohio.  Rightly 
named,  it  is  a  beautiful  spot.  From  this  point  sailed  down  the 
Ohio  four  miles,  to  Gallipolis,  went  on  shore  and  remained  about 
an  hour.  Many  letters  were  sent  home  from  this  place.  After 
looking  about  the  place  awhile  went  on  board  another  boat  and 
started  up  the  Ohio.  Passed  Mount  Pleasant  again,  also  other 
places,  viz  :  Middleport,  Coal  Point,  Coal  and  Salt  Works,  Pom- 
eroy  and  Syracuse  on  the  Ohio  side,  and  Hartford  on  the  Virgi 
nia.  All  these  were  enterprising  looking  places  and  did  not 


2 ;8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMEN T 

show  very  much  the  effects  of  the  war,  especially  on  the  Ohio 
side.  There  was  a  marked  difference  between  the  appearance  of 
the  Buckeye  State,  and  the  sacred  soil  of  Virginia.  The  people 
all  along  the  line  of  the  sail  did  not  forget  it  was  the  Fourth 
of  July,  and  they  made  the  "welkin  ring"  with  their  cheers  and 
shouts  of  hearty  welcome.  At  every  landing,  men,  wumen  and 
children  crowded  down  to  the  shore,  laughing,  singing,  clapping 
hands,  waving  handkerchiefs  and  cheering.  At  one  place  two 
companies  of  the  regiment,  as  the  boat  stopped,  were  invited 
on  shore  to  participate  in  a  collation  which  had  been  prepared  for 
the  Sabbath  School  children.  The  children  all  fell  back  and  let 
the  soldiers  have  the  first  chance  at  the  good  things,  and  seemed 
delighted  at  the  opportunity  to  show  the  brave  boys  this  mark 
of  respect.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  boys  could  not  re 
strain  from  tears  and  thanks  of  joy  for  the  kind  demonstrations, 
and  cheer  after  cheer  was  given  for  the  little  folks,  and  the  good 
ladies,  and  for  Independence  Day.  Surely,  this  was  a  day  of  in 
dependence  and  joy  to  Hunter's  raiders,  and  they  were  not  slow 
in  drawing  their  comparisons  between  the  Ohioans  and  the 
Virginians.  "This  isn't  New  Market,  nor  Woodstock,  nor 
Staunton,  nor  Lexington,  nor  Buchanan,  nor  Liberty,  nor  Salem; 
is  it?"  "This  is  rather  better  fare  than  we  got  at  the  watering 
places  in  the  mountains,"  and  other  like  expressions  were  heard. 
The  boat,  containing  most  of  the  regiment,  did  not  stop  only  at 
one  place.  The  boys  did  not  go  on  shore,  but  the  people  crowded 
as  near  as  possible  to  the  shore,  and  threw  cakes  and  bread,  and 
even  pies  to  the  men,  amid  the  most  hearty  shouts  of  joy  and  wel 
come.  The  boys  responded  most  heartily  with  cheers  and  patri 
otic  songs,  and  really  it  was  a  big  day  indeed  to  them  all,  excep 
ting  those  who  were  so  sick  they  could  not  go  on  deck.  A  few 
miles  above  Hartford  cast  anchor  for  the  night.  Another  quiet 
night  of  rest.  None  but  those  who  had  been  marching  for  two 
months  or  more,  night  and  day,  can  fully  appreciate  the  quiet  rest 
of  that  Fourth  of  July  night  of  1864.  Tuesday,  the  5th,  started 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  279 


early,  but  proceeded  only  a  little  way  and  then  stuck  fast  at  the 
head  of  the  river  where  there  was  an  unlocked  for  hindrance  at 
Rainswood,  near  "Big  Sandy  Creek."  Remained  here  all  day  and 
night.  Now  rest  began  to  grow  tedious.  Men  began  to  grow 
dull  and  stupid,  and  the  sick  more  ill.  George  H.  Locke,  of 
Killingly,  seemed  to  be  almost  in  a  dying  state  as  he  had  been 
very  sick  for  several  days,  and  had  to  be  fed  with  brandy 
and  water  out  of  a  tea  spoon  to  keep  the  breath  of  life  in  him. 
On  Wednesday  morning  a  large  number  of  the  men  went  on 
shore,  on  the  Virginia  side,  and  walked  a  long  way  up  the  river, 
passing  Buffi  ngton  bar,  and  there  waited  several  hours  for  the 
boat,  which  at  length  got  alloat.  The  chaplain  and  a  few  others 
procured  breakfast  at  a  humble  looking  house  on  the  bank  of  the 
river,  consisting  of  corn  cake  and  bacon.  The  people  seemed 
friendly  and  disposed  to  do  what  they  could  for  their  visitors. 
About  noon  the  boat  made  its  appearance,  and  in  a  short 
time  all  were  on  board  again.  Arrived  at  the  island  Blenner- 
hasset,  of  Aaron  Burr  fame,  at  four  P.  M.,  and  the  river  being  so 
low,  landed  just  above  and  immediately  commenced  to  march  on 
the  road  to  Parkersburg,  five  miles  away.  The  officers,  as  well 
as  privates  had  to  foot  it,  as  their  hprses,  as  before  stated,  had 
been  sent  overland  from  Camp  Piatt.  It  was  a  delightful  even 
ing,  however,  to  march,  and  the  journey  was  accomplished 
easily,  passing  through  a  beautiful  coi  ntry  about  sunset.  The 
inhabitants  were  friendly  and  seemed  like  New  England  people, 
and  on  inquiry  found  this  part  of  Ohio  was  settled  originally  by 
people  from  Connecticut.  One  of  the  most  prominent  citizens 
at  that  time  was  William  Piatt  Putnam,  aged  seventy-three  years, 
great  grandson  of  Israel  Putnam  of  Revolutionary  fame.  Halted 
in  front  of  his  house  a  long  time.  The  old  man  and  his  family 
were  delighted  to  see  the  Union  boys  and  to  be  introduced  to 
Col.  Ely,  Maj.  Peale,  Surgeon  Hoi  brook,  the  chaplain  and 
other  officers  of  the  regiment.  He  exhibited  several  relics  of  his 
great  grandfather,  among  which  was  a  powder  horn  which  he 


280  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


made  at  Fort  William  Henry  in  1756,  and  a  brass  bullet  mold 
which  he  used  in  the  old  French  war.  It  was  intimated  that  these 
relics  properly  belonged  to  the  State  of  Connecticut,  but  the  old 
man  would  not  part  with  them,  but  some  day  it  is  hoped  they 
may  find  a  place  in  the  Atheneum  at  Hartford.  Arriving  at 
Parkersburg,  found  a  train  of  box  cars  in  waiting  for  us.  Here, 
also,  received  another  mail  and  news  from  home;  although  rather 
old  it  was  really  refreshing.  Remained  long  enough  to  get  a 
good  supper,  and  read  the  letters  from  the  loved  ones  far  away. 
Left  one  or  two  sick  men  down  the  river  in  the  care  of 
detailed  nurses,  among  them  George  H.  Locke;  and  it  is  a  won 
der  no  more  were  left  behind.  About  nine  P.  M.  the  box-cars 
were  loaded  with  soldiers,  well  crowded.  Some  had  a  little  straw 
for  a  bed,  more  would  have  hurt  the  bones  of  the  boys  less.  Rode 
all  night,  arriving  in  Cumberland  the  next  morning,  and  stopped 
an  hour  or  more.  Sent  other  men  to  the  hospital. 

Thursday,  July  ;th,  rode  two  hundred  and  eighty  miles 
through  a  wild  and  romantic  country.  The  scenery  of  the  Al- 
leghanies  and  along  the  Potomac  was  grand — the  boys  wakeful 
and  cheerful.  Arrived  at  Cherry  Run,  twenty  miles  from  Martins- 
burg,  and  stopped  for  the  night.  On  Friday,  moved  on  three  miles 
down  the  railroad  and  camped  at  Back  Creek.  Here  saw  the 
mischief  of  the  rebels  who  had  beat  us  in  the  race  for  Martins- 
burg,  The  railroad  bridge  was  destroyed  and  a  part  of  Early's 
force  was  in  possession  of  Martinsburg.  Remained  here  over 
Sunday.  In  the  meantime,  clothing  and  shoes  were  issued  to 
the  men,  who  began  to  improve  in  their  personal  appearance. 
A  large  number  of  the  men  had  been  barefoot  for  some  time. 
Albert  M.  Lathrop,  Company  E,  had  marched  the  whole  route 
barefooted,  and  never  entered  a  wagon  or  ambulance  to  ride 
a  step.  He  wore  a  number  eleven  shoe  and  none  were  issued  of 
that  size  when  the  regiment  left  its  base  of  supplies  to  go  up  the 
valley.  He  stood  the  long  march  well,  in  good  health  all  the  time. 
The  chaplain  was  taken  suddenly  ill  here,  and  a  religious  service 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  281 

was  thereby  prevented.   "Dick  Ripley,"  who  was  so  ill  at  Gauley 
Bridge,  was  much  better,  and  able  to  be  on  duty. 

Monday,  July  i  ith,  the  regiment  marched  down  the  railroad  to 
Marti nsburg,  and  on  the  way  discovered  more  work  of  the  rebels. 
The  officers  had  received,  the  day  previous,  their  horses.  These 
were  taken  along  by  the  main  traveled  road  most  of  the  way, 
and  the  chaplain  was  able  to  ride  in  company  with  Surgeon  Hoi- 
brook.  The  people  in  Martinsburg  were  overjoyed  to  see  the 
Union  boys  again,  who  had  been  absent  seventy-three  days.  The 
rebels  had  left  that  morning  and  retreated  toward  Winchester. 
The  whole  valley  was  in  the  possession  of  Early's  forces,  while 
himself,  with  his  main  army,  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Frederick 
City,  Md.  Remained  all  day,  July  1 2th,  in  Martinsburg.  The 
officers  found  that  most  of  their  baggage  sent  back  from  Cedar 
Creek  in  June  had  been  captured  by  the  rebel  raiders  and  carried 
off.  But  few  were  excepted.  Among  this  number  was  the 
chaplain,  who  had  left  an  entire  new  suit  in  the  care  of  G.  W. 
Wysong,  the  postmaster.  The  Wysong  family  were  ardent  friends 
of  the  Eighteenth  and  showed  them  many  favors.  But  it  was  a 
great  mystery  how  they  escaped  the  vigilance  of  the  rebels  at 
that  time.  More  than  one  of  the  regiment,  however,  were 
thankful  that  they  did.  Other  families  were  equally  serviceable 
in  this  department. 

When  the  Eighteenth  reached  Martinsburg,  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  i  2th,  it  was  hoped  a  few  days  of  rest  among  their  old  friends 
would  be  enjoyed.  The  regiment  sadly  needed  it.  For  nearly 
seventy-five  days  they  had  been  constantly  on  the  move,  and  had 
grown  weary  and  were  worn  out  with  long  marches,  want  and 
privations,  and  their  ranks  had  been  fearfully  thinned  by  three 
battles.  More  than  half  of  the  number  who  had  left  Martinsburg 
to  go  up  the  valley  were  among  the  missing,  either  killed  or 
wounded.  It  was  no  wonder  the  people  on  the  streets  inquired, 
as  the  Union  army  passed  through,  "What,  is  that  the  Eighteenth 
Connecticut?  How  changed !  They  have  seen  pretty  rough 


282  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


times.  They  look  as  though  a  little  soap  and  water  and  some 
thing  to  eat,  a  new  suit  of  clothing,  some  new  shoes  and  a  little 
rest  would  not  hurt  them."  The  boys  would  like  to  have  remained 
in  Martinsburg  long  enough,  to  have  effected  some  of  the  needful 
changes  here  indicated.  But  this  could  not  be.  Early  was 
threatening  Baltimore  and  Washington,  and  Hunter  must  follow 
him  up.  Only  three  days  before  Early  had  beaten  the 
Union  forces  at  Monocacy  Junction,  and  was  marching  on.  But 
on  the  1 2th,  the  very  day  the  Eighteenth  arrived  in  Martinsburg, 
Frederick  City  was  re-occupied  by  Union  troops.  Great  excite 
ment  prevailed  all  through  Maryland  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
capital,  and  there  was  no  time  for  the  soldiers  to  rest.  Conse 
quently  on  the  i  3th  the  remnant  of  the  Eighteenth  was  on  the 
move  again,  and  marched  ten  miles  in  the  direction  of  Harper's 
Ferry  under  a  scorching  sun,  and  at  night  slept  in  a  wheat  field. 
Bundles  of  wheat  were  freely  used  for  bedding,  and  on  the  whole, 
we  were  made  quite  comfortable.  It  was  a  beautiful  night, 
the  moon  shining  brightly.  Next  day  passed  on  to  the  Ferry 
and  crossed  the  Potomac  on  a  pontoon  bridge,  and  halted  at 
night  at  Knoxville,  near  the  canal. 

Friday,  July  i5th,  marched  down  the  Potomac  about  two  miles, 
following  part  of  the  way  the  "tow  path"  of  the  canal,  and  then 
forded  the  river  just  above  Berlin.  This  proved  quite  an  exciting 
movement,  especially  the  passage  of  the  river,  it  being  of  con 
siderable  width  and  depth  at  this  point.  In  some  places  the 
water  was  nearly  waist  deep.  Many  of  the  men  stripped  off  their 
shoes  and  pants,  carrying  them  on  their  backs.  Even  the  officers 
who  rode  took  off  their  boots  and  hung  them  on  their  saddles 
and  rolled  up  their  pants  above  their  knees.  The  passage  was 
very  slow,  the  bed  of  the  river  being  very  stony.  Every  one  had 
to  look  well  to  his  feet  that  his  footsteps  "slid  not.  '  But  in 
spite  of  the  greatest  care,  now  and  then  a  poor  fellow  would  make 
a  plunge  of  considerable  depth  and  a  splash  which  "brought 
down  the  house"  in  roars  of  laughter,  and  fun  and  jokes  were 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  283 


the  order  of  the  day.  One  or  two  of  the  horses  made  missteps 
that  resulted  in  giving  their  riders  a  plunge  which  somewhat 
dampened  their  "linen,"  while  others  were  in  so  deep  the 
water  came  up  half  way  to  their  knees,  cooling  them  off  finely. 
However,  all  agreed  that  on  the  whole  the  passage  was  quite  a 
success  as  a  wetting  down  and  cooling  off  process.  For  a  half 
hour  afterwards  the  men  were  employed  in  dressing  their  feet, 
and  drying  their  pants.  Those  who  got  their  shoes  and  stockings 
wet,  either  purposely  or  otherwise,  did  not  increase  the  comforts 
of  the  march  that  followed.  It  was  a  rough,  hard  looking  place 
where  the  landing  was  made,  and  it  seemed  at  first  as  though 
there  was  no  way  out.  A  little  way  from  the  river  we  came  to  one 
or  two  houses,  where  a  few  of  the  boys,  and  one  or  two  offi 
cers  obtained  some  milk.  Ask  a  Virginia  woman  for  bread 
and  milk  and  she  will  bring  in  a  pitcher  of  milk  and  a  loaf 
of  bread,  and  say:  "Now  help  yourself."  The  idea  does  not  seem 
to  occur  to  them  that  a  bowl  and  spoon  will  greatly  facilitate, 
until  it  is  suggested.  This  latter  mode  of  eating  bread  and  milk 
seemed  to  be  wholly  a  "Yankee  notion."  The  writer  will  never 
forget  how  amused  the  women  of  the  house  seemed  to  be  when 
some  of  her  guests  insisted  on  eating  bread  and  milk  with  a  spoon, 
out  of  a  basin  or  bowl. 

When  over  the  river  and  up  the  steep  bank  the  line  of  march 
led  directly  through  the  rich  London  valley.  Had  not  gone  far 
before  it  was  evident  there  was  an  enemy  near,  and  the  prospect 
was  fair  for  another  fight.  Speedily  the  advance  began  to  skirmish 
with  the  rebels,  and  before  night  several  captures  had  been  made. 
Proceeded  slowly  as  far  as  Hillsboro,  camping  about  sunset  just 
west  of  the  town  for  the  night,  and  judging  from  the  squealing 
heard  in  various  directions,  the  proper  name  for  this  place  would 
be  "Pigville."  Col.  Thoburn,  however,  came  to  the  rescue,  and 
at  onetime  there  was  quite  a  squad  of  "pig-killers"  in  front  of  his 
headquarters,  guarding  the  work  of  their  own  hands.  It  did 
seem  a  little  too  bad  that  the  boys  were  interfered  with  in  the 


284  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


distribution  of  fresh  pork  rations  that  night.  Hillsboro  was  rebel 
to  the  backbone — the  headquarters  of  the  guerrillas  of  Loudon 
County,  of  which  Moseby  was  the  "chief  of  sinners."  There  was 
every  reason  to  believe  that  the  citizens,  and  especially  the 
women,  were  in  full  sympathy  with  the  rebel  thieves 'and  cut 
throats  who  had  long  annoyed  the  government  authorities  at 
Harper's  Ferry  and  Martinsburg.  The  boys  thought  Col.  Tho- 
burn  was  a  little  too  lenient  towards  these  fellows,  and  it  made 
them  angry  to  be  put  under  guard  for  killing  their  pigs.  On  the 
whole  this  had  been  a  very  lively  day  and  the  prospect  was  en 
couraging  for  more  lively  times. 

At  night  there  was  a  rumor  in  camp  that  the  chaplain  had  been 
captured.  He  turned  up  all  right,  however,  the  next  morning, 
having  been  well  fed  on  "roast  pig"  at  Col.  Thoburn's  headquar 
ters  in  the  meantime. 

Remained  here  half  a  day  or  more,  during  which  time  there  was 
heavy  artillery  firing  in  the  direction  of  the  Potomac,  and  the 
Union  cavalry  brought  in  some  twenty-five  rebel  wagons,  and 
several  prisoners. 

A  large  detachment  of  rebel  infantry  passed  by  Hillsboro  un 
molested,  because  Gen.  Sullivan  was  not  in  a  proper  condition 
to  give  orders,  it  was  said,  or  his  command  was  not  in  condition 
to  make  a  successful  fight. 

Gen.  Sullivan  was  relieved  as  corps  commander  at  this  time, 
and  Gen.  Crook  was  put  in  command,  who  gave  the  order  to 
move  in  the  afternoon.  Followed  directly  on  the  track  of  the 
retreating  rebels,  arriving  at  a  place  called  Purcellville,  on  the 
road  to  Snicker's  Ford.  Remained  here  all  night,  and  slept  in 
in  a  beautiful  grove. 

The  next  day  was  Sunday,  July  i  7th.  A  beautiful  day.  In 
the  morning  rations  and  some  clothing  and  shoes  were  issued,  but 
not  enough  of  the  latter  to  meet  the  demand.  There  were  a  large 
number  of  men  barefoot,  or  in  a  worse  condition,  with  shoes 
so  extremely  poor  and  hard  they  galled  the  feet  of  their 
owners. 


Lieut.    FRANCIS  McKEAG. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  285 


At  eleven  o'clock  a  religious  service  was  held  in  the  camp,  in 
which  many  of  the  second  brigade  participated.  Chaplain 
Woodhull  of  the  fourth  division  infantry,  assisting  the  chaplain 
of  the  Eighteenth  in  the  services.  Very  quiet  through  the  day — 
the  most  quiet  Sunday  for  three  months.  It  was  highly  appreci 
ated  by  officers  and  men.  At  dark  the  boys  had  one  of  their  old- 
fashioned  social  singing  meetings,  and  for  a  whole  hour  the 
woods  rang  with  the  sound  of  vocal  music.  It  was  an  hour  of 
real  enjoyment,  mingled  with  tender  thoughts  of  the  loved  ones 
at  home.  "When  shall  we  meet  again?"  Alas,  there  were  several 
members  of  the  regiment  who  would  have  been  saddened  to 
have  had  that  question  answered  that  night  with  reference  to 
themselves.  They  had  their  last  sleep  that  night. 

With  Monday  morning  came  the  order  again  to  move  in  the  di 
rection  of  "Snicker's  Gap."  About  one  hundred  men,  sick  and 
barefoot,  were  sent  back  to  Harper's  Ferry,  and  the  remainder  of 
the  regiment,  less  than  one  hundred  in  all,  went  marching  on. 
The  day  was  very  hot,  and  all  along  the  way  were  seen  traces  of 
Early's  retreat  the  day  before,  viz:  dead  horses  and  fragments  of 
broken  wagons,  etc.  Things  began  to  look  more  serious,  and 
every  hour's  march  lessened  the  distance  between  conflicting 
forces.  Early  had  done  a  great  deal  of  mischief  in  Maryland  and 
given  "Old  Abe"  a  good  fright  at  the  White  House,  but  he  was 
mortified  and  chagrined  that  he  had  not  done  more.  Hunter's 
raiders  had  returned  too  soon  for  him,  and  the  Sixth  Corps  were 
between  him  and  Washington.  Matters  began  to  look  serious 
for  the  old  Maryland  raider,  and  he  moved  off  towards  Winches 
ter,  but  evidently  watching  his  opportunity  to  strike  a  stunning 
blow  at  his  pursuers.  This  was  soon  offered  him.  Having 
reached  the  west  bank  of  the  Shenandoah,  he  left  a  picket  line  on 
the  river  and  moved  his  main  force  back  into  the  woods  and 
waited  for  the  Yankee's  approach. 

The  advance  of  Gen.  Crook  passed  the  gap  and  reached  the 
river  before  noon  and  began  to  skirmish  with  the  enemy  at  the 


286  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


fording  and  at  first  it  was  said,  the  "firing  was  quite  hot  and 
rapid."  It  was  evident  the  rebels  intended  to  give  battle  if  the 
Union  force  made  the  attempt  to  cross  the  river.  When  the 
Eighteenth  arrived  at  the  gap  the  scene  was  both  inspiring  and 
exciting.  From  that  point  could  be  seen  the  beautiful  valleys  of 
Loudon  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  Shenandoah  on  the  other. 

While  a  Union  battery  was  occupying  the  attention  of  the 
rebels,  the  Eighteenth,  with  the  Fifth  New  York  Heavy  Artillery, 
the  Fourth  Virginia  and  several  other  regiments  were  ordered 
to  pass  down  the  east  bank  of  the  Shenandoah  by  a  narrow  cart 
path.  The  distance  was  more  than  a  mile  to  a  fording.  A  Cross 
ing  was  effected  with  little  or  no  opposition,  as  the  rebels  lay 
back  in  the  woods,  half  a  mile  away,  in  full  view  of  Gen.  Crook's 
operations.  They  understood  the  ground  and  were  pleased,  no 
doubt,  at  the  strategy  of  Gen.  Wright,  which  gave  them  a  fine  op 
portunity  to  punish  the  Yankees.  An  officer  of  the  regiment 
remarked  to  the  colonel  of  the  Fourth  Virginia,  soon  after  the 
crossing  was  effected,  that  if  the  rebels  understood  the  situation, 
they  would  not  be  slow  in  improving  it  to  drive  our  little  force 
back  into  the  river.  They  did  understand  it,  and  it  was  not  long 
before  they  began  to  show  themselves.  A  strong  line  of  skir 
mishers  was  thrown  out  on  the  rebel  right,  which  was  met  with  a 
noble  resistance  by  a  similar  line  on  our  left.  This  move 
ment  was  only  a  ruse  to  conceal  the  point  of  real  attack  on  the 
right  where  the  Eighteenth  was  posted.  At  the  same  time 
our  skirmishers  were  driven  back  on  to  the  main  line,  a  heavy 
force  of  the  enemy  appeared  on  the  right,  completely  flanking 
the  Eighteenth,  the  line  stretching  out  into  the  river  to  cut  off 

o  o 

more  effectually  our  retreat.  The  Union  line  delivered  several 
volleys  into  the  advancing  foe,  but  it  was  evident  that  some 
one  had  been  out-generaled,  and  the  order  was  given  to  re- 
cross  the  river.  By  this  time  the  whole  rebel  line  advanced  rap 
idly  and  in  good  order,  and  poured  volley  after  volley  into  the 
retreating  force.  The  fording  was  exceedingly  difficult,  and  in 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  287 


the  hurry  of  the  moment  many  of  the  men  rushed  into  the  river 
regardless  of  the  depth  of  the  water,  when  in  many  cases  the  boys 
had  to  swim  for  their  life,  and  quite  a  number  struggled  in  vain, 
and  at  length  found  a  watery  grave.  Other  regiments,  however, 
suffered  'more  in  this  way  than  did  the  Eighteenth,  who  lost  but 
few  drowned,  among  which  was  Orderly  Sergeant  Thomas  J. 
Aldrich,  Company  D.  His  body  floated  at  length  down  the  river 
and  was  recovered  by  some  of  the  citizens  and  buried. 

Most  of  the  wounded  were  saved  from  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  by  recrossing  the  river.  This  was  very  difficult  to 
do,  and  most  of  them  had  hair-breadth  escapes.  It  was  a  sad 
time  for  the  Eighteenth.  Many  of  the  officers  and  men  had  nar 
row  escapes,  and  it  is  surprising  that  no  more  of  them  were 
wounded,  killed  or  drowned.  At  the  commencement  of  the  fight 
the  officers  sent  their  horses  over  the  river  and  stood  their  chances 
of  escape  equally  with  the  privates.  Col.  Ely  had  a  narrow  es 
cape,  and  other  officers  were  in  imminent  danger.  In  this  fight 
the  regiment  acquitted  itself  well.  Although  it  was  exposed  to  a 
cross-fire,  still  it  did  not  waver,  nor  retreat  until  the  order  was 
given  to  recross.  This  was  the  only  way  to  escape  capture  en 
tirely,  as  the  rebels  greatly  outnumbered  the  Union  force  and  came 
on  in  a  splendid  line,  in  spite  of  a  hot  artillery  fire,  until  they 
reached  the  river,  a  distance  of  nearly  half  a  mile.  After  the  re- 
crossing  was  effected,  the  Sixth  Corps  came  up  a  little  too  late. 
About  this  time  a  rebel  battery  opened  upon  the  Union  force 
with  some  effect,  and  would  have  done  great  harm  if  it  had  not 
been  checkmated  by  a  battery  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  which  by  a 
well  directed  shot  blew  up  a  rebel  caisson.  The  darkness  put 
an  end  to  this  artillery  duel,  and  the  regiment  marched  back  near 
by  Snicker's  Gap,  and  went  into  camp  with  heavy  hearts.  Again 
the  tide  of  fortune  had  turned  against  them,  but  it  was  no  fault  of 
theirs,  as  they  did  all  that  men  could  do  in  the  circumstances  in 
which  they  had  been  placed,  and  obeyed  orders  when  the  men 
who  planned  the  battle  were  alone  responsible  for  the  results. 


288  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

Col.  Ely  and  other  officers  of  the  regiment  wept  that  night  at 
the  useless  slaughter  and  broken  up  condition  of  the  regiment. 
"Boys,"  said  he,  "I  am  willing  to  lead  you  against  an  equal,  or 
even  double  your  number  of  rebels,  but  this  being  shut  up  in  a 
slaughter-pen  I  cannot  stand."  The  Eighteenth  did  not  stack 
over  sixty  muskets  on  that  sorrowful  night.  Their  dead  were  in 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  some  of  the  wounded,  and  this 
added  to  the  sorrow  of  the  occasion.  The  march  of  the  morn 
ing  had  been  begun  with  perfect  confidence  in  Gen.  Crook.  He 
was  a  special  favorite  with  all,  and  wherever  he  lead  there  was  a 
general  feeling  that  success  would  follow.  The  result  greatly  dis 
appointed  the  officers  and  men  generally,  and  all  felt  mortified 
and  chagrined  at  the  result.  Rumor  said  that  it  was  a  plan  of 
Gen.  Wright,  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  who  ranked  Gen.  Crook,  to  dis 
grace  the  latter.  It  would  be  hard  to  believe  this  if  similar  mean 
ness  had  not  been  exhibited  before  by  other  officers  under  more 
trying  circumstances. 

July  iQth  was  an  extremely  hot  day.  Remained  in  camp  car 
ing  for  the  wounded  and  repairing  damages.  About  twenty-five 
men  who  had  been  left  at  the  ferry  sick  or  shoeless  rejoined  the 
regiment  here.  The  Thirteenth  Connecticut,  of  the  Nineteenth 
Corps,  lay  near  all  day,  but  it  was  not  generally  known  to  the  Eight 
eenth.  Surgeon  Holbrook  was  very  busy  at  the  hospital  through 
the  day.  The  wounded  men,  as  a  whole,  were  quite  cheerful  and 
hopeful.  The  work  of  the  preceding  day  was  severely  criticised 
by  all.  Remained  here  until  the  next  afternoon,  when  the 
wounded  having  been  sent  to  the  ferry  the  order  came  to  advance 
again.  Moved  clown  to  a  regular  fording  and  crossed  the  riv 
er  in  the  midst  of  a  terrible  thunder  storm.  The  rain  poured 
down  and  the  men  were  drenched,  and  suffered  no  little  in 
convenience  the  remainder  of  the  day.  Marched  down  the 
left  bank  of  the  Shenandoah  to  a  beautiful  grove  or  wood  lot 
nearly  opposite  the  battle-ground  of  the  day  before.  Details 
were  made  up  to  proceed  to  the  battle-field  in  search  of  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  289 

Union  dead.  Found  that  the  rebels,  as  usual,  had  outraged 
the  dead,  leaving  them  but  half  buried,  feet  and  arms  in  some 
instances  were  left  in  full  view  and  exposed  to  the  sun  and 
storms.  It  was  a  painful,  sickening  sight.  It  made  one  feel  in 
dignant  and  even  revengeful  toward  the  inhuman  creatures  who 
could  be  guilty  of  such  acts  of  wicked  barbarity.  The  rebels 
buried  their  own  dead  with  more  care,  and  it  was  not  for  want  of 
time  they  did  no  better  for  their  Yankee  foes.  Everlasting  in 
famy  will  be  attached  to  the  memory  of  the  rebel  leaders  who 
allowed  the  soldiery  to  treat  with  so  much  neglect  and  cruelty 
their  patriotic  opponents  in  war.  For  this  reason  alone  their 
cause  richly  deserved  defeat,  utter  annihilation,  and  it  is  no  won 
der  it  was  so.  Justice  could  not  sleep  while  such  atrocities  were 
practiced  by  those  who  were  pursuing  a  causeless  war  against 
their  government.  Camped  at  night  in  the  woods.  While 
here  the  regiment  sent  out  a  large  foraging  party,  which 
brought  in  large  quantities  of  ham  and  bacon.  From  a  rebel 
farmer  were  taken  a  number  of  fine  looking  horses.  A  negro 
acted  as  a  guide  to  the  several  places  where  produce  of  all  sorts 
was  stored  away  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  the  men.  It  was 
quite  amusing  to  seve  them  return  to  camp  with  their  booty, 
making  a  marked  display  of  the  same.  The  boys  thought 
that  "nigger"  was  somewhat  scared  when  he  was  called  up 
and  made  to  show  them  around  that  old  rebel's  premises  in 
the  dead  of  night.  But  the  old  planter  himself  was  ''some  mad." 
However,  he  took  things  quite  coolly  under  the  circumstances. 
Several  of  our  wounded  men  were  found  in  a  farm  house  not  far 
away.  Among  them  was  R.  Corey,  of  Company  C.  Poor  fel 
low,  he  was  badly  wounded  in  the  ankle,  but  he  seemed  glad 
enough  to  be  in  the  Union  lines  once  more.  The  chaplain  part 
ed  at  this  place  with  his  old  "tall  sorrel,"  chaplain  Woodhull,  of 
the  Fourth  Virginia,  wanting  him  more  than  he  did.  "Sorrel0 
was  a  kind,  faithful  animal,  had  clone  excellent  service,  and  if  he 
could  not  run  he  was  quite  a  "fast  Walker/'  which  was  more  than 

37 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


could  be  said  of  his  rider.  However,  more  than  one  man  of  the 
Eighteenth  had  occasion  to  cherish  grateful  remembrances  of 
"old  stiff  sorrel"  in  their  march  over  the  mountains.  It  was  not 
without  some  regrets  that  the  separation  took  place,  although  he 
bore  the  Confederate  "C." 

On  July  2 ist,  after  a  good  night's  sleep  in  the  woods,  and 
an  early  breakfast,  made  ready  for  another  march.  Early  had 
fallen  back  to,  or  below  Winchester,  asd  Gen.  Crook  was  ordered 
to  follow  him  up.  The  Sixth  and  a  part  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps, 
that  preceded  the  Eighth  Corps  over  the  river,  for  some  reason 
had  been  ordered  back  toward  Washington.  The  Eighth  Corps 
was  on  the  move  again  about  eight  o'clock  A.  M.  Proceeded 
slowly  toward  Winchester.  The  day  was  very  hot.  Halted  at 
Berryville,  and  some  thought  another  fight  might  come  off  soon; 
in  fact  it  was  possible  to  have  a  brush  with  the  enemy  almost  at 
any  hour.  The  rebels  were  not  far  away,  that  was  sure.  Ar 
rived  in  Winchester  about  four  P.  M.,  passing  over  a  portion  of 
the  battle-field  of  the  year  previous.  The  old  stone  house  was 
pointed  out  in  which  Company  H,  with  others,  charged  and  cap 
tured  a  squad  of  rebels.  As  the  Union  forces  passed  through 
the  streets  of  Winchester  the  people  were  unusually  grave  and 
silent,  as  they  were  sure  of  another  fight  soon,  and  such  an  event 
did  not  promise  any  good  to  them.  Poor,  rebellious  Winchester, 
how  it  did  suffer  during  the  war.  And  still  the  Union  army  was 
received  generally  with  more  complacency  than  the  Confederates. 
But  most  of  the  people  had  become  weary  and  disgusted  with 
both  armies,  and  no  wonder.  Camped  at  night  near  the  old  mill 
at  Kearnstown,  two  miles  on  the  Strasburg  road.  Most  of  the 
regiment  was  on  picket  during  the  night,  as  it  was  evident  the 
rebels  were  not  far  away. 

Saturday,  23d,  the  regiment  was  posted  to  the  right  of  the 
Romney  road  in  the  woods,  where  they  threw  up  defenses  and 
lay  quiet  through  the  day  until  about  four  P.  M.  The  regiment 
then  advanced  in  line  of  battle  across  an  open  field  into  the. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  29 i 


woods  again;  then  filed  left  and  halted.  Remained  here  until 
near  sunset.  It  was  a  fine  place  to  rest,  but  for  the  fear  of  an 
attack.  It  was  not  quite  satisfactory  to  leave  the  defenses  for 
the  open  field.  Passed  the  out-posts  on  the  way.  A  cavalryman 
sat  on  his  horse  peering  into  the  woods  as  though  he  expected  to 
see  the  rebels  every  moment.  The  situation  just  then  was  con 
sidered  dangerous,  and  still  some  circumstances  attending  it  were 
a  little  ludicrous  and  even  laughable.  Another  view  of  the  situa 
tion  was  very  painful.  The  ,  Eighteenth  had  only  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  men  in  line.  Not  two  years  before 
the  roll  was  nine  hundred  strong  on  this  very  ground.  Then 
when  the  regiment  advanced  on  the  rebel  line  it  was  taken  for 
a  brigade.  Now  in  comparison  they  made  but  a  corporal's  guard. 
About  sunset  this  fragment  of  a  regiment  returned  to  their 
camp  near  the  mill,  but  it  was  the  general  expectation  that  the 
rebels  might  send  their  usual  compliments  to  the  Union  men  at 
any  moment.  Up  to  this  time  the  latter  never  had  met  with 
much  success  in  fighting  around  Winchester.  The  rebels  had 
every  means  of  knowing  the  full  strength  of  the  Yankee  force,  and 
then  out-number  them  and  drive  them  back. 

July  24th,  the  regiment  left  camp  about  eight  A.  M.,  and 
returned  to  their  position  of  the  previous  day,  and  remained  in 
line  of  battle  four  or  five  hours;  then  took  up  a  position  in  ad 
vance  on  the  west  side  of  the  Strasburo-  road,  well  on  to  New- 

o 

town,  where  there  was  a  brisk  skirmish  in  progress.  It  was  evi 
dent  the  rebels  meant  to  fight,  and  the  position  was  very  excit 
ing.  The  main  line  began  to  advance,  and  soon  was  under  fire, 
the  Eighteenth  being  on  the  right  and  not  a  little  exposed. 
Sergeant  Hillarcl,  in  command  of  Company  E,  was  wounded. 
The  command  was  ordered  to  lie  down  behind  a  rail  fence,  at 
the  same  time  keeping  up  a  brisk  fire  upon  the  enemy.  About 
four  P.  M.  the  rebels  made  a  furious  attack  upon  the  left  and 
centre;  the  latter  point  was  defended  by  Maryland  and  Virginia 
troops,  and  some  New  York  troops  under  Col.  Mulligan,  who 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


fought  Early  at  Monocacy  Junction  a  week  or  two  before.     A 
gallant  defense  was  made  here,   but  the  rebels  flanked  them  and 
poured    upon    their   line  a    destructive    enfilading  fire  and    the 
men   fell  thick   and  fast.     The  line  wavered,    fell   back,  fighting 
and  contesting  every  inch  of  ground.      It  was  an  awful  crisis,  and 
the  sight  was  one  of  the   saddest  of   the  campaign.      The  writer 
will  never  forget  the  sorrowful  impressions  of  that  hour.      He  was 
sitting  on  his  horse  between  his  own  regiment   and  a  Maryland 
battery,  the  latter  occupying  an  eminence  from  which  the  move 
ments  of   nearly  the  whole   line  were   visible.      From  this  point 
the  rebel  flank  movement  was  in  full  view,  as  when   first  discov 
ered.      An  officer,  an  aid  of  Col.  Thoburn,  exclaimed  very  excit 
edly:   "Good    God,    they  have   broken  the    centre!"     A    retreat 
was  ordered.      Then  the  rebels  came  down  upon  the  whole  line 
in  great  fury.      However,  the  retreat  was  effected  in  good  order, 
the  left   wing  being  pressed  the  hardest,  while  the  centre  and 
right  wing  were  closely  followed,  being  subjected  to  "right  smart 
shelling"  from  the  enemy.     The  retreat  of  the  right  wing  was  at 
the  left  of  Winchester,  passing  over  the   ridge  west  of  the  place, 
and  near  the  forts    where  Milroy  fought  so  desperately  the  year 
before.     The  Eighteenth   was  familiar  with   every  inch   of  the 
ground.     Col.  Ely  and  his  brave   men    felt   sad  to  be  obliged  to 
retreat  again  from  this  spot  of    exciting  memories.      But   there 
was  no  help  for  it.      The  rebels  sent  their  compliments  thicker 
and  faster,    and  the   shells  screamed   louder  and    louder.     Just 
above  the  town,  and  nearly  opposite   Fort   Jackson,  a  large  shell 
fell    exactly    in    the  line  of    the    regiment,    another  struck    the 
horse  of  Col.   Thoburn  on  the  hip,   and  strange  to  say  the  col 
onel  escaped  unharmed.     A  fragment  of  shell,  after  hitting  and 
bending  his    musket,   struck  Corporal   William    H.    Boyden,  of 
Company  H,  and  produced  a  bad  flesh  wound  in  the  thigh.      He 
would  have  been  made  prisoner  but  for  the  efforts  of  Job  Metcalf, 
of  the  same  company,  who  seeing  the  perilous  situation   of  Boy- 
den  declared  he  would  not  leave  him,  although  entreated  to  save 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  293 


himself,  but  would  share  his  fate.  With  his  assistance  Boyden 
hobbled  into  the  woods,  two  miles  toward  the  mountain,  where 
they  both  concealed  themselves  the  following  night  in  the  bushes 
and  thus  escaped  capture. 

The  second  day  they  left  their  places  ©f  concealment  in  search 
of  a  human  habitation,  and  at  length  came  to  the  residence  of  a 
Mr.  Baker,  who,  standing  at  his  gate,  saw  the  Union  sol 
diers  coming,  and  exclaimed:  "There  comes  another  of  God's 
poor  unfortunates,"  and  his  eyes  filled  with  tears  as  Corporal 
Boyden  approached  and  told  his  story.  He  then  invited  the 
strangers  into  his  house,  where  his  wife  and  daughter  prepared 
for  them  a  good  supper.  Mr.  Baker  then  conducted  them  to  a 
place  of  concealment  in  a  clump  of  bushes  which  proved  to  be 
their  home  for  the  next  eighteen  days.  During  all  this  time  he" 
carried  food  to  them  every  day,  and  they  obtained  water  from  a 
spring  near  at  hand.  Rebel  scouts  passed  their  place  of  conceal 
ment  several  times,  and  once  or  twice  it  seemed  as  though  they 
would  surely  discover  them.  They  had  no  visitors,  however,  but 
Mr.  Baker's  family,  excepting  an  old  hen  with  a  brood  of  chick 
ens,  and  a  copperhead  snake  which  they  discovered  crawling  past 
their  feet  one  day.  The  former  visitor  seemed  determined  at 
one  time  to  quarter  her  whole  family  on  these  Yankees,  but  at 
length  was  frightened  away. 

On  the  nth  of  August,  Boyden  and  Metcalf,  learning  that 
Sheridan  had  driven  the  rebels  through  Winchester,  bade  Mr. 

o 

Baker's  family  an  affectionate  farewell,  found  conveyance  to 
Martinsburg,  and  went  to  the  post  hospital  and  were  admitted. 
While  the  rebels  kept  up  the  shelling,  the  rebel  cavalry  made 
a  furious  charge  on  the  right  of  the  retreating  line,  driving  back 
the  main  cavalry  in  great  confusion,  as  the  infantry  were  ap 
proaching  the  old  battle-ground  at  Summit  Point.  This  hap 
pened  just  after  sunset,  and  produced  a  panic  among  the  battery 
men  and  teamsters.  The  former  left  several  guns  in  the  road, 
and  some  of  the  teamsters  cut  their  horses  from  their  wagons 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


and  left  loads  of  shoes  and  other  supplies  to  be  captured.  But 
the  infantry  kept  cool  and  did  not  share  the  fright  of  the  runa 
ways,  but  helped  themselves  to  shoes  as  they  marched  along, 
and  seized  the  abandoned  guns  and  drew  them  by  hand  to  a 
place  of  safety. 

The  line  of  retreat  was  at  the  left  of  the  pike,  which  was  fol 
lowed  until  they  reached  Bunker's  Hill.  At  this  place  a  halt 
was  made,  and  the  troops  rested  several  hours  between  midnight 
and  daylight.  About  this  time  it  began  to  rain,  and  the  retreat 
was  resumed  for  several  miles.  Arrived  at  Martinsburg  about 
nine  A.  M.  The  rain  had  ceased  and  the  sun  shone  bright  and 
hot.  The  streets  of  Martinsburg  were  crowded  with  soldiers, 
many  of  whom  had  lost  their  regiment  during  the  night.  While 
order  was  being  restored,  the  lost  men  were  finding  their  respect 
ive  regiments,  and  the  pursuing  rebels  were  shelling  the  town. 
Previous  to  this  the  regiment  halted  above  the  town  on  the 
Williamsport  road.  The  whole  retreating  force  was  soon  in  mo 
tion,  the  Eighteenth  having  in  charge  a  wagon  train.  For  a  few 
miles  the  teamsters  were  in  great  fear,  and  there  was  danger  of  a 
panic.  The  chaplain  pleaded  with  the  wagon-master,  or  officer  in 
charge  of  the  train,  to  make  an  effort  to  allay  the  fears  of  his  driv 
ers,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  He  seemed  to  be  as  much  beside  him 
self  as  any  one;  rode  on  with  his  teams  pellmell,ancl  was  soon  out 
of  sight.  Under  the  circumstances  it  was  impossible  for  the  in 
fantry  to  keep  pace  with  the  teams,  and  their  escort  was  left  for 
awhile  at  a  respectful  distance  in  the  rear.  But  when  the  train 
reached  "Falling  Waters"  there  was  more  order  in  the  retreat. 

Arrived  at  the  Potomac,  opposite  Williamsport,  about  six  P. 
M.,  and  spent  the  night,  the  teams  only  fording  the  river.  One 
or  two  of  the  officers  of  the  Eighteenth  crossed  the  river  in  search 
of  the  regimental  wagons,  but  did  not  succeed  in  finding  them. 
The  men  generally  had  to  look  out  for  themselves,  and  were  as 
tired  and  hungry  as  they  had  been  at  any  time  on  the  raid. 

July  26th,  forded  the  Potomac  and   marched  down  the  river 


Hosp.  Steward,    J.  DICKINSON  RIFLEY. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  295 

road  toward  Harper's  Ferry.  Camped  at  night  near  Sharpsburg, 
Md.  Next  day  proceeded  to  Harper's  Ferry,  and  from  thence 
passed  on  through  Sandy  Hook  to  Pleasant  Valley,  and  went 
into  camp.  Here  the  regiment  received  another  mail,  which 
gave  general  satisfaction.  About  four  P.  M.,  on  the  28th, 
command  was  given  to  march  back  to  Harper's  Ferry,  and  then 
to  Halltown,  four  miles  on  the  road  to  Charleston.  Remained 
at  this  place  Friday,  the  2Qth,  and  received  another  mail  in  the 
meantime. 

Col.  Ely  having  been  made  brigade  commander,  the  command 
had  devolved  upon  Maj.  Peale,  but  Gen.  Hunter,  having  taken 
umbrage  at  the  major  for  telling  some  of  his  staff  at  the  Ferry  the 
simple  truth  about  the  sufferings  and  privations  of  the  men  on 
the  raid  to  Lynchburg,  put  the  major  under  arrest.  Every  man 
of  the  regiment,  and  many  others  who  knew  the  circumstances 
of  the  affair,  felt  indignant  at  Gen.  Hunter  for  his  unjust,  arbi 
trary  and  wholly  uncalled  for  proceedure.  However,  it  gave  the 
major  an  opportunity  to  rest,  and  he  needed  it  as  well  as  the 
whole  regiment.  He  had  been  a  faithful  and  efficient  officer 
through  a  most  hazardous  and  important  campaign.  No  charge 
prejudicial  to  his  honor  or  bravery  was  preferred  against  him  or 
could  be.  He  was  brave  and  patriotic,  and  shared  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  his  fellow  officers,  and  indeed  of  the  whole 
regiment.  He  had  offended  his  chief,  not  by  any  criticism  on 
the  campaign,  but  by  simply  telling  what  he  knew  to  be  true  with 
reference  to  his  own  regiment.  This  was  all;  he  never  had  any 
trial,  and  after  a  few  weeks  was  restored  to  his  command  without 
the  least  shade  of  dishonor  resting  upon  his  character. 

During  his  absence  Capt.  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  of  Company  E, 
was  in  command.  He  issued  his  first  order  at  Halltown,  July 
3Oth,  and  on  the  same  day  marched  the  regiment  through  Harp 
er's  Ferry  in  a  general  move  of  the  Eighth  Corps  into  Mainland 
in  search  of  Early's  raiders,  who  had  gone  north  as  far  as  Penn 
sylvania.  This  movement  was  unexpected  and  required  dispatch. 


296  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

Passed  through  the  ferry  at  three  P.  M.  It  seemed  like 
the  hottest  day  of  the  season,  and  as  the  regiment  passed 
through  Sandy  Hook  the  heat  was  awful.  Men  of  other  regi 
ments  had  fallen  out  by  the  hundreds,  and  the  roadside  was  com 
pletely  lined  with  prosprate  men,  many  of  whom  were  sun-struck, 
and  a  few  seemed  to  be  in  a  dying  state.  Their  comrades  were 
throwing  water  on  the  heads  of  the  sufferers  and  doing  all  in 
their  power  to  prevent  the  fatal  effects  of  the  heat.  For  miles 
the  same  sad  sight  was  seen,  soldiers  suffering  intensely  in 
great  numbers.  The  Eighteenth  suffered  not  a  little  with 
other  regiments.  At  no  time  during  the  raid  did  the  regiment 
appear  to  so  great  a  disadvantage.  Certainly  it  had  not  suf 
fered  more,  or  was  in  greater  danger  from  the  heat.  The  writer 
will  never  forget  that  lonely,  disastrous  march.  It  seemed 
more  lonely  because  of  the  absence  of  so  many  familiar  faces, 
both  of  the  rank  and  file.  The  absence  of  Col.  Ely,  Maj.  Peale 
and  Surgeon  Holbrook  from  the  head  of  the  regiment  made  a 
great  vacancy.  Capt.  Mathewson  and  Lieut.  Bixby,  and  other 
wounded  officers,  were  necessarily  absent,  and  it  really  seemed 
that  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  was  about  used  up,  as  there 
were  less  than  one  hundred  men  all  told. 

Camped  at  night  at  Bankesville,  twelve  miles  from  the  Ferry. 
No  sooner  was  the  order  given  to  halt  than  it  seemed  almost  as 
if  every  man  laid  down  and  went  to  sleep  instantly.  The  next 
day  was  Sunday.  We  rose  early,  and  after  breakfast  went 
marching  on.  This  last  day  of  July  proved  hottest  of  all,  and 
before  twelve  o'clock  there  was  not  a  company  in  line  of  march 
in  the  whole  brigade.  The  officers  who  rode  could  not  withstand 
the  scorching  heat,  and  fell  out  nearly  as  soon  as  the  men  on 
foot.  There  was  no  help  for  it,  as  the  men  were  completely 
overcome  and  prostrated.  Lieut.  Caruthers  was  stricken  down 
and  left  at  a  private  house,  and  was  supposed  to  be  in  a  dying 
condition,  but  he  finally  recovered  and  joined  the  regiment  after 
a  few  days.  Most  of  the  regiment  at  length  found  refuge  in  a 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  297 


grove  at  the  left  of  the  road.  No  more  marching  was  done  that 
day  until  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  we  proceeded  about 
three  miles  and  halted  for  the  night.  The  men  looked  more  sad 
and  weary  than  ever. 

There  was  a  great  deal  of  complaint  among  the  officers  and 
men,  and  it  was  hardly  possible  to  help  it.  The  regiment  was 
nearly  exhausted  before  leaving  Harper's  Ferry,  and  then  to 
march  two  such  days  as  the  last  two  was  calculated  to  crush  the 
life  out  of  the  men,  who  lay  down  sick  and  completely  discour 
aged  that  night.  Among  others,  the  chaplain  was  sick — the  first 
time  he  had  shown  any  signs  of  giving  out — and  Col.  Ely  and 
Surgeon  Holbrook,  at  brigade  head-quarters,  were  not  in  much 
better  condition.  The  general  complaint  was  "we  are  about 
used  up."  The  chaplain  at  a  late  hour  found  lodgings  at  a  farm 
house  with  a  very  fine  family,  who  did  everything  for  his  health 
and  comfort  in  their  power. 

Next  morning,  August  ist,  we  were  on  the  march  again  early, 
and  marched  to  the  mountains,  and  went  into  camp  at  a  place 
called  Wolfsville.  It  seemed  refreshing  to  get  into  the  woods, 
and  find  some  protection  from  the  burning  sun,  and  there  was  a 
fine  stream  of  water  near  by  which  added  much  to  the  comforts 
of  the  place.  Remained  here  two  days;  the  men  lay  down  under 
the  trees  and  took  things  easy,  and  it  was  the  first  real  rest  they 
had  enjoyed  for  four  weeks.  They  were  delighted  bathing  in 
the  brook,  eating  and  sleeping,  and  it  was  a  good  time  generally, 
in  which  the  weary  became  rested,  and  the  sick  grew  better. 
The  chaplain  was  quite  sick  the  first  day  at  this  place,  but  was 
much  better  the  second.  If  the  regiment  could  have  remained 
here  a  week  it  would  have  been  a  great  benefit  to  all.  But  the 
rebel  raiders  had  burned  Chambersburg,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  re 
turned  to  Virginia  another  way,  carrying  their  booty  with  them. 
It  was  said  the  present  movement  was  made  to  intercept  the 
raiders,  but  it  seemed  as  much  a  plan  to  evade  them  as  anything. 
Early  was  having  things  pretty  much  his  own  way,  and  Hunter 


298  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


had  marched  his  men  out  of  his  way  nearly  to  death  to  let  him 
continue  unmolested.  Matters  had  come  to  a  serious  pass  in 
the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  were  growing  no  better. 
Wolfsville  was  a  fine  place  for  reflection  on  one's  ways,  but  not 
much  of  a  place  in  which  to  fight  rebels.  The  situation  was  per 
fectly  ridiculous,  and  provoked  many  a  witticism  at  Gen.  Hun 
ter's  expense. 

August  3d.  Made  another  move  and  marched  to  Monocacy 
Junction,  four  miles  below  Frederick  City.  The  passage  over 
the  mountains  was  delightful,  the  scenery  grand  and  imposing, 
The  people  in  Frederick  City  came  out  in  crowds  to  see  the  men, 
and  showed  them  great  kindness.  Some  came  with  pails  of 
water,  women  came  out  with  loaves  of  bread  and  pitchers  of  milk, 
and  many  of  the  men  had  a  good  time  of  it  and  will  never  forget 
the  good  people  of  that  staid  old  Union  town.  The  place  itself 
seemed  more  like  a  Yankee  town  than  any  in  all  Maryland,  and 
the  men  were  loud  in  its  praises. 

There  was  a  large  post  hospital  here  at  the  time,  and  several 
of  the  regiment  were  here  sick,  or  detailed  on  duty.  It  was  a 
good  place,  as  many  of  the  regiment  can  testify. 

Forded  the  Monocacy  River  and  went  into  camp  about  one 
mile  below  in  a  lonely  place.  Remained  here  Thursday  and 
Friday,  August  4th  and  5th;  in  the  meantime  had  a  visit  from 
Gen.  Grant. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  299 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

GEN.    SHERIDAN    IN    COMMAND. 


Gen.  Hunter  was  removed,  and  the  Eighth  Corps  became 
a  part  of  the  command  under  Gen.  Phil.  Sheridan.  The 
change  was  generally  satisfactory,  although  it  was  the  universal 
conviction  that  it  meant  hard  marching  and  harder  fighting. 

Received  another  mail  here  on  the  second  day,  and  towards 
evening  the  whole  command  was  drawn  up  in  line  to  witness  the 
shooting  of  a  deserter.  Being  just  at  night,  and  quite  dark,  the 
poor  victim  of  his  own  folly  could  hardly  be  seen  from  the  point 
the  Eighteenth  occupied.  It  was  a  most  solemn  and  impressive 
scene.  No  doubt  the  time  was  chosen  more  especially  for  its 
effect;  at  least  so  it  seemed. 

August  6th.  As  evidence  that  "Little  Phil."  was  in  earnest, 
the  order  came  early  in  the  morning  to  march  to  Harper's  Ferry, 
and  the  regiment  was  on  the  move  again  in  the  midst  of  a 
pelting  rain.  The  chaplain,  being  too  ill  to  march,  was  sent  back 
to  Frederick  City  in  an  ambulance. 

It  proved  a  hard  day  for  the  regiment,  as  the  road  was  very 
muddy.  It  cleared  up  during  the  day;  still  the  march  proved 
very  tiresome.  During  the  whole  campaign  thus  far  there 
had  been  but  little  rain.  The  season  had  been  uncommonly 
dry,  and  the  regiment  had  not  been  compelled  to  march  scarcely 
a  mile  in  the  rain.  Reached  Sandy  Hook  at  night,  and  camped 
at  Pleasant  Valley. 


3oo  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

The  next  day  was  Sunday,  pleasant  and  warm.  Lay  here  all 
day  and  it  was  truly  a  day  of  rest.  On  the  afternoon  of  Monday, 
the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Halltown  again,  and  went  into 
camp  on  the  north  side  of  the  town,  near  the  railroad. 

Thus  had  the  Eighteenth  passed  through  Harper's  Ferry  for 
the  eighth  time  since  the  2oth  of  March  previous.  Arriving 
this  time  the  regiment  had  traveled,  in  one  way  and  another, 
nearly  two  thousand  and  five  hundred  miles  in  nine  different 
states,  participated  in  fr-v  battles,  and  reduced  its  numbers  from 
five  hundred  strong  down  to  less  than  one  hundred  men,  all 
told,  fit  for  service.  No  regiment  perhaps  in  the  whole  Union 
army  had  a  more  varied  experience,  and  suffered  greater  expo 
sures,  with  greater  losses  in  the  same  time. 

If  the  Eighteenth  did  have  an  easy  time,  as  many  said,  the  first 
nine  months  of  service,  it  must  be  confessed  they  suffered  enough 
the  remainder  of  their  time  to  make  up  for  it. 

It  is  hardly  possible  that  any  regiment  could  have  suffered 
more  during  the  campaign  of  1864.  The  friends  of  this  regi 
ment  would  have  been  greatly  amazed  to  have  looked  into 
their  camp  on  the  Qth  day  of  August.  Few  in  numbers,  tired, 
jaded  and  dispirited,  not  a  commissioned  staff  officer  present, 
Col.  Ely  and  Surgeon  Holbrook  still  on  brigade  duty,  Maj.  Peale 
on  a  leave  of  absence  to  gratify  the  spite  of  Gen.  Hunter,  and 
the  chaplain  sick  at  Frederick  City.  Such  was  the  fate  of  the 
Eighteenth  Connecticut  Regiment. 

Capt.  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany  in  command,  however,  was  doing  all 
he  could  to  maintain  the  dicipline  and  efficiency  of  the  remnant 
of  the  regiment,  and  under  the  circumstances  it  appeared  well, 
and  was  prompt  in  the  performance  of  its  duty. 

August  loth.  Left  Halltown  and  marched  up  the  right  bank 
of  the  Shenandoah  River  for  several  miles,  and  thence  across  the 
country  to  Berryville,  and  went  into  camp.  The  day  was  ex 
tremely  hot,  and  several  of  the  men  fell  out  from  the  heat,  and 
their  sufferings  were  greatly  increased  from  the  want  of  water. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  301 


The  springs  were  dry  from  the  continued  drouth,  and  this  state 
of  things  made  it  a  serious  business  to  march  across  the  country. 
The  next  day  we  left  Berryville  and  advanced  in  line  of  battle 
all  day,  skirmishing  with  the  rebels  for  fifteen  or  twenty  miles. 
There  was  much  suffering  on  this  march  for  the  want  of  water. 
Water!  water!  was  the  cry  through  the  day. 

Gen.  Early  was  evidently  retreating  up  the  valley  for  the  pur 
pose  of  drawing  Gen.  Sheridan  from  his  base  of  supplies.  Little 
Phil.,  however,  did  not  seem  afraid  to  follow  him  up,  which  he 
did  closely. 

On  the  1 2th,  we  marched  direct  for  Cedar  Creek,  where  the 
regiment  halted  about  noon  for  rations  in  the  woods.  There 
was  severe  skirmishing  across  the  creek,  and  a  battle  seemed 
inevitable. 

At  night  the  regiment  was  marched  to  the  left  of  the  pike, 
formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  was  on  picket  through  the  night,  ex 
cepting  Company  C,  which  remained  in  position  with  the  colors. 
Remained  here  four  days.  In  the  meantime  a  part  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  carried  the  creek,  and  drove  the  rebels  back  on  Strasburg; 
at  the  same  time  brisk  skirmishing  was  going  on  across  the 
river. 

On  the  1 5th,  the  regiment  was  in  line  of  battle  all  day.  All 
quiet  on  both  sides.  The  next  day  the  regiment  lay  near  the 
Creek,  and  all  was  quiet  as  the  day  before. 

It  was  now  Little  Phil.'s  turn  at  a  strategic  movement.  Hence 
he  began  to  retreat  slowly  on  Winchester  the  evening  of  the 
1 6th.  We  marched  all  night,  passing  through  Middletown, 
Newtown  and  Winchester.  At  the  latter  place  stopped  about 
three  hours,  and  then  passed  on  to  Berryville  on  the  evening  of 
the  i  7th,  very  much  fatigued. 

August  1 8th.  It  rained  all  day  and  we  marched  six  miles  to 
ward  Charlestown,  and  went  into  camp  in  the  woods  near  a  large 
cornfield;  it  was  a  very  uncomfortable  day. 

Remained  here  until  the  morning  of  the  2Oth.   Lieut.  Hinckley 


302  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


returned  to  the  regiment.  He  had  been  absent  since  the  depart 
ure  of  the  regiment  from  Staunton,  on  its  way  to  Lynchburg, 
from  a  wound  received  at  Piedmont.  His  return  was  a  source 
of  pleasure  to  Company  C,  of  which  he  again  took  command. 

August  26th.  Marched  to  near  Charlestown  and  went  into 
camp.  The  next  day,  Sunday,  took  up  a  position  a  little  west  of 
the  town  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  near  the  Smithfield  pike. 

The  ruse  of  Sheridan  was  working  well.  The  rebels  were  fol 
lowing  him  up,  and  to-day  there  was  severe  skirmishing  again  in 
front.  The  rebel  artillery  opened  on  our  main  line,  and  for  a 
short  time  the  shelling  was  severe  and  sharp.  The  shells  just 
reached  us  but  did  no  harm.  The  work  of  the  day  was  the  con 
struction  of  rifle-pits,  in  expectation  of  an  attack  of  the  enemy  in 
force.  Before  daylight  next  morning  the  regiment  fell  back  to 
near  Halltown,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  while  the  skirmish 
ing  was  hot  and  sharp. 

Remained  in  this  position  four  days.  In  the  meantime  the 
third  brigade  of  the  Eighth  Corps  advanced  on  the  rebels  and 
after  severe  fighting  we  drove  them  back  on  Charlestown.  The 
chaplain  returned  but  was  not  able  to  remain,  and  went  to  the 
hospital  at  Sandy  Hook.  These  were  days  of  great  excitement, 
and  a  great  battle  was  every  day  expected,  until  the  rebels  fell 
back  of  Charlestown  on  the  2;th. 

On  August  28th  there  were  still  lively  times  at  the  front. 
Our  brigade  was  ordered  through  Charlestown,  and  camp  was 
made  on  the  south  side  of  the  town.  Brisk  skirmishing  all  day 
between  the  pickets.  For  the  next  six  days  we  lay  in  this  vi 
cinity.  The  weather  was  pleasant.  One  day  was  spent  in  pick 
et  duty  at  the  front  by  the  whole  regiment.  The  duty  was  not 
hard,  but  the  men  were  obliged  to  keep  their  eyes  open,  as  the 
rebels  were  near,  and  likely  at  any  hour-  to  pay  their  usftal 
compliments  to  the  hated  Federals. 

September  3d  was  a  gala  clay  with  the  regiment,  it  being 
pay-day.  Most  of  the  men  received  six  months'  pay,  and  felt  rich 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  303 


once  more.  But  what  should  they  do  with"so  much  money  while 
in  such  close  proximity  to  the  rebels?  If  they  were  led  into  bat 
tle  the  chances  were  that  they  might  be  relieved  of  their  pocket 
books  to  the  advantage  of  the  enemy.  The  rebels  cursed  the 
Yankees  whenever  they  had  an  opportunity,  but  they  loved 
'•greenbacks/'  and  were  glad  enough  to  get  them. 

While  the  men  were  rejoicing  over  their  good  luck  and  fat 
purses,  the  order  came  to  march  toward  Berryville.  About  four 
P.  M.  halted  and  began  to  put  up  tents.  But  this  order  was 
soon  countermanded,  for  the  pickets  were  being  driven  in  on 
the  Winchester  road,  and  a  battle  was  imminent.  The  regi 
ment  was  soon  marching  in  line  of  battle  toward  the  front. 

The  whole  of  our  corps  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  both  sides 
of  the  Winchester  pike,  a  little  west  of  the  town,  the  regiment 
being  on  the  right  of  the  line.  The  enemy  opened  on  the 
whole  line  with  a  fierce  artillery  fire  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
the  infantry  charged  with  great  fury,  forcing  back  our  line 
about  one  hundred  yards.  At  this  point  a  determined  stand  was 
made,  a  counter-charge  executed,  and  the  rebels  fell  back.  A 
constant  fire  was  kept  up  until  dark.  The  regiment  lay  in  line 
of  battle  all  night,  and  for  several  hours  it  rained  quite  hard. 
The  discomforts  of  the  night  added  very  much  to  the  fatigue 
and  hardships  of  the  day.  There  was  but  a  handful  of  men, 
as  it  were,  on  duty,  and  these  were  poorly  prepared  to  perform 
such  severe  and  crushing  service  as  the  fortunes  of  the  day  de 
manded.  Before  daylight,  however,  we  were  on  the  move  again, 
and  falling  back  about  four  miles  were  drawn  up  in  line  of  bat 
tle  on  the  left,  Company  C  being  detailed  to  guard  a  wagon 
train  about  a  mile  in  the  rear.  There  was  severe  skirmishing  all 
day. 

September  5th.  Company  C  was  still  in  charge  of  the  train, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  regiment  hard  at  work  in  rifie-pits 
at  the  front.  At  night  there  was  another  rain  storm  and  it  was 
quite  cold. 


304  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  next  day  Company  C  was  relieved  from  guarding  the 
wagon  train,  and  joined  the  regiment  at  the  front.  It  was  not 
long  before  this  company  was  ordered  out  on  picket  duty,  with 
our  cavalry  only  a  little  way  in  advance  of  them.  It  was  a 
wet,  cold  and  exciting  day.  The  rebels  seemed  to  want  to  fight, 
but  did  not  risk  a  battle.  September  jth,  the  Eighteenth  was 
together  again  and  lay  behind  rifle-pits  most  of  the  day.  On  the 
8th,  the  regiment  did  another  hard  day's  work  for  their  country, 
marching  to  Summit  Point,  on  the  right  about  six  miles,  in  line 
of  battle,  through  rain  and  mud,  and  then  went  into  camp. 

September  gth.      By  way  of  variety,  had   company  drill  in  the 

forenoon,  and  battalion  drill  in  the  afternoon,  and  dress-parade  at 

•evening,  but  it  is  needless  to  say  the  regiment  was  so  reduced  in 

numbers  it  made  rather  a  sorry  appearance.     The  next  two  days 

it  rained  almost  incessantly. 

In  the  meantime  an  order  was  received  to  report  to  Col.  Rogers, 
the  commander  of  the  post  at  Charlestown,  who  assigned  the 
regiment  to  picket  duty  for  the  protection  of  the  trains. 

September  i  3th.  Our  wagon  trains  fell  back  to  Halltown,  and 
the  regiment  was  placed  in  charge  of  a  portion  of  it.  Pleasant 
all  day. 

At  night  went  into  camp  as  usual.  On  the  I4th,  the  regiment 
was  quiet  all  day.  This  rest  was  greatly  enjoyed  by  the  men, 
who  employed  their  time  in  telling  stories  and  writing  letters. 
The  1 5th  was  very  pleasant  with  no  special  incidents.  On  the 
i  jth,  there  was  quite  an  excitement,  as  Gen.  Gran-t  passed 
through  the  town  for  a  conference  with  Sheridan.  Of  course 
everybody  was  astir,  anxious  to  see  the  great  general  and  to  know 
what  was  coming.  It  was  the  general  opinion  that  this  unexpected 
visit  meant  work  and  fighting. 

Gen.  Grant  had  begun  to  grew  uneasy,  it  was  said,  about 
Sheridan's  movements  in  the  valley.  There  had  been  a  whole 
month  of  marching  and  countermarching,  and  almost  constant 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy  with  varying  results.  This  state  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  305 


things  could  not  remain  so  much  longer.  The  conference  proved 
of  great  importance  to  the  Union  cause,  for  it  was  on  this  occa 
sion  that  General  Grant  gave  his  permission  to  "Little  Phil,  to 
go  in," 

It  was  evident  to  a  casual  observer  that  affairs  were  about  to 
assume  a  more  serious  and  positive  aspect.  There  had  been  too 
much  boys'  play — "marching  up  the  hill  and  marching  down 
again."  Sheridan  and  Early  had  been  simply  trying  each  other's 
strength  and  wisdom  in  strategic  movements.  The  constant 
change  of  position  and  bad  weather  had  imposed  a  hard  and  try 
ing  service  on  the  men,  and  they  began  to  grow  uneasy  and  dissat 
isfied  with  the  situation.  The  cavalry  portion  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac  found  the  Shenandoah  valley  a  hard  road  to  travel, 
Gen.  Early  having  made  them  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  some  of 
whom  were  "swearing  mad."  The  writer  recollects  meeting  one 
of  the  Potomac  cavalrymen  after  a  severe  brush  with  the  rebel 
infantry  in  the  direction  of  Martinsburg,  in  which  engagement 
the  Union  forces  came  near  being  gobbled  up,  and  had  been 
driven  across  the  Potomac  River  pellmell.  He  was  swearing  like 
a  pirate.  Among  other  things  he  said:  "This  Shenandoah  valley 
is  the  d — dst  place  I  ever  got  into;  indeed  it  is."  "And  you 
have  found  it  out,  have  you?"  said  I.  "I  am  glad  you  have 
found  it  out  at  last.  You  Potomac  boys  have  been  thinking 
that  it  was  only  boys'  play  to  fight  the  rebels  up  here,  and  have 
ridiculed  our  little  corps  for  its  ineffective  campaigns,  for  its  fruit 
less  marches  and  counter-marches  in  the  valley,  and  now  I  am 
heartily  glad  you  are  satisfied  that  this  country  is  a  very  difficult 
place  for  military  operations,  because  it  is  favorable  for  flank 
movements."  It  was  by  just  such  a  movement  that  his  regi 
ment  had  lost  heavily  and  came  very  near  being  captured  a  day 
or  two  before.  After  this  conversation  the  cavalryman  rode  off 
in  haste  and  apparently  in  thought. 

-At  this  time  Gen.  Early  was  entrenching  himself  between  Ber- 
ryville  and  Winchester,  preparing  as  well  as  he  could  for  the 


306  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

shock  which  was  evidently  at  hand.  Sheridan  evidently  hastened 
it.  When  the  sun  went  down  on  that  iSth  day  of  September, 
1864,  Gen.  Early's  prospect  of  success  had  passed  forever;  the 
decisive  moment  had  come,  and  Sheridan  was  ready  to  "go  in." 

Col.  Ely,  having  been  in  the  service  three  years  and  seven 
months,  resigned  his  commission,  took  a  cordial  leave  of  his 
regiment,  and  returned  home  to  fulfill  an  engagement  more 
pleasant  and  perhaps  more  important  than  any  he  had  partici 
pated  in  during  all  the  time  of  his  service  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley.  Those  who  understood  the  situation  warmly  congratu 
lated  the  colonel  on  his  success,  both  in  the  field  and  at  home, 
and  although  they  parted  with  him  with  regrets,  still  they 
wished  him  abundant  success  in  his  "home  campaign."  On 
taking  leave  of  his  command,  Col.  Ely  made  the  following  parting 
address  to  the  men,  which  was  received  with  unfeigned  sorrow 
and  tender  memories  of  the  stirring  events  in  which  they  had 
participated  during  the  term  of  their  united  service  in  western 
Virginia. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  EIGHTEENTH  CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS,        ) 
CHARLESTOWN,  VA.,  September  2oth,  1864.  f 

To  THE  OFFICERS  AND  SOLDIERS  OF  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CON- 

N ECTI C  U  T  Vo L U  N  T E E  RS : 

I  believe  the  campaign  in  the  Shenandoah  valley  is  at  an  end, 
and  that  your  remaining  term  of  service  will  be  free  from  such 
arduous  marches  and  sanguinary  battles  as  have  fallen  to  your 
lot  during  the  past  campaign.  At  Piedmont,  Lynchburg,  Snicker's 
Ford,  Winchester,  Cedar  Creek  and  Berryville  you  have  borne 
a  noble  part  in  the  contest  for  Union  and  liberty,  and  earned  a 
title  for  valor  which  none  can  dispute.  As  your  commanding  offi 
cer  I  thank  you  for  your  prompt  and  cheerful  obedience  to  orders 
at  all  times.  When  foot-sore  and  weary  with  marching,  and  when 
advancing  under  the  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  to  meet  the 
enemy,  you  have  with  undaunted  spirit  executed  your  orders  to 
the  letter,  although  you  have  suffered  the  loss  of  many  of  your 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  307 


best  officers,  who  are  held  as  prisoners  of  war;  and  although  you 
have  been  reduced  by  the  casualties  of  battle  to  one-half  of 
the  number  with  which  you  entered  upon  this  campaign,  you 
yet  maintain  an  efficient  organization,,  and  are  able  to  cope  with 
an  equal  number  of  the  best  forces  of  the  enemy.  Although 
separated  from  you,  I  shall  watch  your  career  with  affectionate 
interest,  feeling  confident  that  you  will  ever  sustain  the  reputa 
tion  for  bravery  and  honer  which  is  now  yours. 

That  you  may  soon  return  to  your  homes  to  enjoy  a  victorious 
and  honorable  peace,  and  that  I  may  be  one  of  the  many  who 
will  give  you  a  warm  welcome,  is  the  hope  of 

WM.  G.  ELY. 

l  To  this  admirable  address  Capt.  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  command 
ing  the  Eighteenth,  responded  in  substance,  as  follows: — "In 
.your  retirement,  Col.  Ely,  to  civic  life,  our  best  wishes  go 
with  you.  Crowned  with  military  glory,  honored  and  respected 
by  all  who  know  you  for  your  pure  and  patriotic  devotion  to  the 
interests  of  your  country,  and  for  your  earnest  zeal  in  crushing 
out  those  who  have  dared  to  raise  their  hand  to  overthrow  our 
government,  may  your  social  life  be  as  peaceful  and  happy  as 
your  military  life  has  been  glorious  and  honorable." 

While  this  important  change  was  being  effected,  Sheridan  had 
fought  a  great  battle  with  Gen.  Early,  routed  his  whole  army, 
and  isent  the  defeated  cohorts  of  Rebellion  "whirling  through 
Winchester"  in  fear  and  dismay.  The  regiment  was  under 
arms -all  day  in  charge  of  a  wagon  train,  but  at  the  same  time 
were  held  in  readiness  for  more  active  service  if  it  should  be 
needed.  It  was  a  day  of  wonderful  excitement.  The  iQth  day 
of  September,  1864,  will  ever  be  a  memorable  day  in  the  history 
of  the  country,  as  well  as  in  that  of  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut. 
The  tide  .of  Rebellion  in  the  Shenandoah  valley  now  began  to 
recede  and  flow  with  fearful  effects  toward  the  rebel  capital. 
The  regiment  did  its  part  that  day  in  effecting  this  object. 
Jf  not  at  the  front  in  a  valiant  fight,  it  yet  remained  by  the 


;o8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


"stuff,"  and  hence  its  part  of  the  victory  was  as  important  as  of 
those  who  obeyed  orders  in  another  part  of  the  field.  It  did  good 
service  where  it  was,  for  the  protection  of  wagon  trains  imposed 
no  light  service  in  Sheridan's  command,  during  the  rapid  move 
ments  of  the  army  to  defeat  and  destroy  a  vigilant  enemy. 
Picket  duty,  or  guarding  trains,  was  earnest  business  at  that 
time,  as  Moseby  and  Gilmore  improved  each  opportunity  to 
capture  every  train  that  was  not  strongly  guarded;  and  Sheridan 
was  not  a  little  annoyed  by  their  prompt  and  vigorous  move 
ments,  by  which  they  had  become  a  terror  to  Union  guards  and 
pickets. 

Sheridan  had  no  idle  soldiers  in  his  department  when  there  was 
anything  to  do,  and  just  then  the  times  were  unusually  lively  and 
interesting. 

He  had  done  his  work  with  such  dispatch  and  completeness 
thus  far  that  it  made  the  authorities  at  Washington  and  the 
people  of  the  North  fairly  intoxicated  with  wonder  and  delight. 
He  had  gone  in  to  win,  and  had  won  one  of  the  most  important 
battles  of  the  war.  The  blow  which  sent  Gen.  Early  up  the  val 
ley  in  a  whirlpool  of  confusion  and  destruction  gave  fresh  cour 
age  to  the  friends  of  the  Union  everywhere,  and  greatly  strength 
ened  the  national  arm  at  all  points.  The  press  of  the  North 
and  West  made  the  best  use  of  the  great  victory  to  inspire  fresh 
courage  and  determination  among  the  people  to  fight  it  out 
to  the  last.  During  the  three  months  preceding  this  joyful 
event  the  public  mind  and  the  spirit  of  the  army  had  been 
greatly  depressed.  Gen.  Banks'  failure  in  Texas,  and  the  poor 
success  of  military  operations  in  the  Shenandoah  valley;  and 
the  seemingly  little  effect  produced  upon  the  bulwark  of  the 
Rebellion  at  Richmond  and  Petersburg  by  the  terrible  and  rapid 
blows  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  under  the  lead  of  Gen.  Grant, 
and  a  growing  dissatisfaction  with  the  conduct  of  the  war  in  many 
parts  of  the  country,  had  its  effect  to  increase  the  general  gloom 
and  despondency.  Many  of  the  people  had  serious  doubts  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  309 


final  success,  and  the  opponents  of  the  war  predicted  an  utter 
failure  of  the  Lincoln  government  and  seemed  to  rejoice  over 
the  prospect.  The  writer  will  never  forget  the  feeling  of 
doubt  and  despair  which  for  a  time  seemed  to  prevail  in  the 
army  of  the  Shenandoah.  The  hardest  and  most  persistent 
campaign  of  the  war  had  been  apparently  barren  of  good  results 
to  the  Union  cause.  Gen.  Early's  raid  into  Maryland  and  Penn 
sylvania,  and  threatening  Washington  itself,  in  spite  of  the  ut 
most  vigilance  on  the  part  of  the  government  and  Gen.  Grant, 
did  not  encourage  the  hope  of  final  success.  The  rebel  leaders 
and  generals,  after  all  had  been  done  to  weaken  their  cause,  ap 
peared  as  hopeful  and  as  defiant  as  ever,  while  the  rebel  press 
continued  to  fire  the  Southern  heart  with  lies  and  braggadocio. 
And  all  this  had  its  effect.  The  soldiers  who  had  been  home  on 
furloughs  returned  with  gloomy  reports  concerning  the  coming 
presidential  election.  It  was  confidently  predicted  in  various 
quarters  that  Lincoln  would  be  overwhelmingly  defeated  at  the 
polls  by  Gen.  McClellan,  and  thus  the  South  might  take  new  cour 
age  and  expectation  respecting  the  recognition  of  the  Confed 
eracy  by  European  governments.  Several  of  the  regiment 
brought  very  discouraging  reports  even  from  Norwich.  They 
reported  that  it  was  believed  by  many  that  McClellan  would 
carry  Connecticut,  the  feeling  of  dissatisfaction  with  Lin 
coln  had  become  so  great  and  earnest.  And  had  the  presi 
dential  election  taken  place  in  September  instead,  of  Novem 
ber,  there  would  have  been  a  fair  prospect  of  the  fulfillment 
of  this  discouraging  prophecy.  But  the  great  victory  of  Gen. 
Sheridan  inspired  fresh  courage  and  raised  the  public  spirit 
wonderfully,  and  every  succeeding  day  added  new  interest  and 
effect  to  this  joyful  event.  Early  had  lost  at  least  five  thou 
sand  men,  killed  and  taken  prisoners.  Rhodes,  one  of  his 
most  vaunting  and  confidential  generals,  was  instantly  killed,  and 
his  corps,  which  he  swore  could  not  be  whipped  by  the  "damned 
Yankees,"  was  nearly  annihilated.  Every  day  new  and  sub 


3 TO  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


stantial  evidence  was  given  of  the  thoroughness  of  the  rebel 
defeat.  The  Eighteenth,  being  on  picket  duty  so  near  the  pike 
leading  from  Charlestovvn  to  Harper's  Ferry,  had  an  excellent 
opportunity  to  witness  the  results  of  the  battle,  and  were  greatly 
rejoiced  to  see  the  Confederates  marching  to  the  rear  in  such 
large  numbers  as  prisoners  of  war.  They  had  met  those  fellows 
at  Lynchburg  under  quite  different  circumstances,  and  it  was 
now  their  turn  to  be  jubilant.  If  the  boys  indulged  in  a  few 
Yankee  jokes  they  were  pardonable  under  the  circumstances. 
"Halloo,  rebs,  glad  to  see  you;  have  been  waiting  for  you  some 
time;  this  is  what  we  went  down  to  Lynchburg  for.  We  meant 
to  bring  you  up  here  to  Charlestown  to  bag  you,  and  I  reckon 
we  have  done  it.  How  do  you  like  it  as  far  as  you  have  got." 

Charlestown  was  decidedly  Rebellious  and  its  people  had  often 
railed  the  Yankees  on  Confederate  victories,  bragging  of  the 
great  things  the  rebel  army  would  do  before  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  there  was  some  satisfaction  to  witness  their  chagrin  and 
disappointment  after  the  battle,  and  as  the  evidences  of  a  glorious 
Union  victory  daily  multiplied. 

September  23d.  Received  orders  to  march  to  Martinsburg, 
which  were  immediately  obeyed.  Arrived  at  that  place  the  same 
day,  and  were  the  first  troops  on  the  ground  after  the  retreat  of 
Gen.  Early's  forces  on  the  iQth.  Capt.  Tiffany  reported  to  Col. 
Rogers,  of  the  Second  Maryland,  in  the  street,  before  the  colonel 
had  reached  his  head-quarters.  The  regiment  was  put  on  pick 
et  duty  to  guard  all  the  roads  in  every  direction,  and  the 
camp  was  in  Faulkner's  woods,  on  the  south  side  of  the  town. 
The  boys  were  very  much  fatigued  after  this  movement,  but 
there  was  no  release  from  duty  on  this  account,  there  being  no 
other  force  to  guard  the  town  from  the  attacks  which  were  ex 
pected  at  any  moment.  On  the  next  day,  in  addition  to  picket 
ing  the  roads,  a  detail  was  made  to  work  on  the  railroad.  The 
rebels,  as  usual  during  their  occupancy  of  the  town,  had  done  all 
the  damage  they  could  by  breaking  up  our  lines  of  communica- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  311 


tion.  They  owed  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  a  peculiar 
spite  because  of  its  great  advantage  to  the  Union  cause.  Stone 
wall  Jackson,  in  his  various  raids  down  the  valley,  had  destroyed 
a  vast  amount  of  railroad  material  by  burning  bridges  and  rolling 
stock,  but  as  soon  as  the  rebels  disappeared  there  was  a  large 
force  put  on  the  road  to  repair  damages.  At  this  time  especially 
a  great  force  was  needed  for  this  purpose,  and  the  Eighteenth 
lent  a  helping  hand.  The  regiment  could  accommodate  itself  to 
circumstances  and  do  various  kinds  of  work  as  well  perhaps  as 
any  in  the  service.  The  government  required  other  service 
besides  fighting,  and  the  men  who  could  "turn  a  hand"  to  any 
thing  were  of  great  use  to  the  general  interests  of  the  country. 

The  events  following  the  removal  to  Martinsburg  were  of  a 
stirring  character,  and  required  the  utmost  vigilance  on  the 
part  of  the  forces  in  and  around  Martinsburg  and  Harper's 
Ferry.  It  was  known  that  rebel  guerrillas  were  watching  for  fav 
orable  opportunities  to  capture  trains,  and  do  any  other  mischief 
in  their  power.  At  this  point  a  large  number  of  rebel  prisoners 
were  brought  in  from  up  the  valley  every  day,  adding  new  evi 
dences  of  the  completeness  of  the  victory  over  Jubal  Early. 

September  2Qth.  Eight  hundred  prisoners  were  met  by  a  por 
tion  of  the  regiment  outside  of  Martinsburg,  and  marched  through 
the  town  to  the  depot  to  take  the  cars  for  Harper's  Ferry,  where 
they  were  left  in  charge  of  the  provost  marshal.  The  regiment 
returned  to  Martinsburg  by  cars  and  resumed  picket  duty  as  usu 
al.  In  the  meantime  Companies  E  and  H  were  sent  to  North 
Mountain  to  guard  a  signal  corps.  There  was  enough  to  do  at 
this  time,  and  the  frequent  changes  to  which  the  troops  were 
subjected  gave  interest  and  variety  to  the  service,  yet  it  was  dif 
ficult  and  tiresome.  From  October  ist  until  the  i3th  the  regi 
ment  remained  at  Martinsburg  on  picket  duty.  During  this  time 
several  important  events  occurred.  Maj.  Peale  and  Surgeon 
Holbrook  had  returned  to  the  regiment,  and  Charles  E.  Rowe, 
of  Farmington,  Conn.,  became  first  assistant  surgeon.  The  re- 


3 1 2  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


turn  of  the  old  officers  was  heartily  greeted  by  the  men.  Maj. 
Peale  was  pleased  to  resume  the  command,  and  the  regiment 
was  equally  well  pleased  to  have  him  do  so.  The  rank  and  file 
began  to  fill  up  again,  and  the  appearance  of  the  battalion  on 
duty  was  greatly  improved.  Various  rumors  were  atloat  as  to 
the  movements  and  destination  of  troops,  and  every  day  had  its 
excitements,  and  occasionally  there  were  real  causes  for  alarm. 
On  the  1 3th  of  October  the  regiment  was  sdddenly  called  out 
on  the  double  quick  and  remained  under  arms  for  a  short  time, 
and  then  were  ordered  back  to  their  tents.  Moseby  had  made 
one  of  his  suclden  dashes  upon  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad, 
and  captured  an  express  train,  helping  himself  to  money  and 
prisoners  as  best  he  could.  These  rebel  movements  made  the 
times  exciting,  and  almost  every  day  something  alarming  would 
transpire  to  keep  up  the  excirement.  In  the  meantime,  Sheridan 
was  watching  Gen.  Early,  and  as  events  proved,  Early  was  watch 
ing  for  an  opportunity  to  give  Sheridan  a  surprise  party.  The 
arrangements  for  this  nearl)  successful  purpose  were  completed 
by  the  i8th,  and  before  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  iQth  "the 
play  began."  Our  old  corps  for  the  first  time  was  completely 
surprised,  and  many  oi  the  brave  men  who  had  been  associated 
with  us  in  the  early  part  of  the  season  in  the  valley  operations 
were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  Among  the  number  who 
fell  that  day,  in  whom  the  regiment  felt  a  special  interest, 
were  Col.  Thoburn,  of  West  Virginia,  and  Col.  Wells,  of  the 
Thirty-fourth  Massachusetts  Volunteers.  They  commanded  some 
of  the  best  troops  in  the  service,  and  were  among  the  very  best 
officers  in  the  valley  that  season.  How  the  Union  troops  rallied 
that  day!  "Sheridan's  ride  from  Winchester,  twenty  miles  away," 
has  been  told  again  and  again,  and  the  people  do  not  tire  of 
hearing  about  it. 

While  the  scenes  which  have  been  so  many  times  described, 
and  every  time  with  new  interest,  were  being  enacted,  there  was 
the  highest  degree  of  excitement  in  Martinsburg  and  vicinity 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  313 


among  citizens  and  soldiers.  The  cannonading  was  distinctly 
heard  at  first,  growing  louder  and  louder,  but  at  length  the  sound 
began  to  grow  less  and  less,  and  at  dark  it  could  scarcely  be  heard 
at  all.  The  troops  in  Martinsburg,  however,  were  in  readiness 
to  advance  at  a  moment's  warning,  but  happily  their  services 
were  not  required.  Sheridan  was  master  of  the  situation,  having 
turned  an  apparent  defeat  into  a  glorious  victory,  thus  immortal 
izing  his  name,  and  giving  that  ride  from  Winchester  to  Cedar 
Creek  an  enviable  place  in  the  history  of  the  country  for  whose 
sake  it  was  performed.  It  was  a  matter  of  deep  interest  to  behold 
the  fruits  of  this  victory  if  one  was  not  permitted  to  share  its  dan 
gers  and  glory.  This  was  made  apparent  every  day  by  captured 
prisoners,  cannon  and  war  material  of  various  kinds.  The  result 
gave  great  joy  and  encouragement  to  the  country,  and  to  the 
soldiers  especially.  It  began  to  look  as  though  the  war  would 
soon  close.  The  next  day  four  months'  pay  was  received,  and 
every  one  was  happy,  such  an  event  being  rated  next  in  importance 
to  the  longed  for  cessation  of  hostilities.  The  men  had  begun  to 
feel  the  want  of  money  as  they  were  anxious  to  make  some  change 
in  their  diet.  A  little  pocket  money  would  help  them  to  do  this 
in  such  a  place  as  Martinsburg. 

The  effect  of  Sheridan's  victory,  however,  was  on  the  whole 
grand  and  overwhelming.  The  rebel  citizens  of  Martinsburg  had 
become  as  silent  as  the  grave,  though  they  had  been  quite  hope 
ful  since  the  summer  campaign,  and  the  successes  of  Early  up  to 
the  [Qth  of  September.  But  the  defeat  at  that  time,  followed  by 
another  a  month  later  more  effective  and  crushing  than  the  first, 
nearly  extinguished  all  hope  of  the  success  of  the  Southern  Con 
federacy.  There  was  but  one  prop  more  on  which  they  leaned, 
and  that  was  the  sympathy  of  Northern  allies,  and  this  too  had 
been  greatly  weakened,  as  the  pending  presidential  election 
promised  nothing  for  their  cause.  The  North  was  in  a  blaze  of 
excitement  over  Sheridan's  victories. 

October  26th.      A  report  prevailed  that   Moseby  was    coming 

40 


314  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


again,  and  the  truth  was  he  was  much  nearer  than  many  were 
willing  to  believe.  About  half  way  between  Martinsburg  and 
Winchester  he  had  made  a  dash  and  captured  Gen.  Duffle,  of 
the  cavalry,  who  was  on  his  way  to  the  former  place.  This  was 
-a  bold  deed.  Gen.  Duffie  was  doomed  to  go  to  Richmond  a 
prisoner.  There  was  no  help  for  it.  Many  thought  that  he  was 
rightly  served,  though  regretting  the  act  itself,  as  it  caused  so 
much  rejoicing  on  the  part  of  rebel  sympathizers  at  home  and 
abroad. 

The  troops  were  called  out  at  Martinsburg  as  usual  after  the 
mischief  was  done  and  could  not  be  prevented.  It  was  quite 
evident  that  although  Sheridan  had  given  Early  a  hopeless  de 
feat,  and  was  at  that  time  following  up  his  advantage  over  him, 
and  pursuing  his  scattered  forces  almost  to  Richmond,  nearly 
capturing  the  old  rebel  himself,  still  he  had  left  a  vigilant  enemy 
to  the  Union  cause  in  the  rear,  who  understood  the  situation 
and  was  ready  to  improve  his  chances  to  be  revenged  on  Sheri 
dan.  Gen.  Duffle  had  never  been  very  popular  with  the  Shen- 
ancloah  army  after  the  defeat  at  New  Market,  the  belief  being 
that  he  might  have  changed  the  fortunes  of  that  day  had  he 
done  his  whole  duty.  Nevertheless,  to  have  a  Union  general 
captured  within  the  Union  lines  caused  great  chagrin,  especially 
as  the  deed  was  achieved  so  near  to  Martinsburg. 

The  presidential  election  was  now  pending.  The  party  at  the 
North,  opposed  to  coercing  the  South,  had  been  hopeful  of  carry 
ing  the  national  election  as  late  as  the  iQth  of  September.  At 
least  there  seemed  to  be  an  earnest  effort  made  for  this  purpose, 
and  with  many  it  was  feared  that  it  would  be  successful;  but 
after  the  victories  of  Sheridan  in  the  valley,  Northern  sympathiz 
ers  began  to  grow  less  confident;  still  it  was  thought  that  every 
Union  vote  at  home  and  in  the  army  would  be  required  to  give 
the  government  all  the  aid  and  corntort  desirable  under  the  cir 
cumstances.  Accordingly  all  laudable  means  were  employed  to 
secure  a  full  vote,  both  of  citizens  at  home  and  soldiers  in  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  315 


army.  After  all  the  privations  and  sacrifices  of  the  soldiers,  the 
great  majority  of  them  were  in  full  sympathy  with  Lincoln's  ad 
ministration,  and  in  favor  of  prosecuting  the  war  until  the  rebels 
should  lay  down  their  arms  and  return  to  their  allegiance  to  the 
government.  That  there  should  have  been  any  division  of  opin 
ion  among  Northern  men  was  a  matter  of  great  surprise.  It  was 
viewed  as  a  shameful  thing  that  any  portion  of  Northern  terri 
tory  required  the  presence  of  soldiers  to  secure  good  order  at  the 
polls  at  such  a  crisis  in  the  history  of  the  war.  But  such  was  the 
fact.  Gen.  Butler  was  ordered  to  New  York  to  keep  the  peace, 
and  other  military  movements  were  regarded  as  necessary  for  the 
same  object  in  other  states.  In  some  instances  this  movement 
perhaps  might  have  been  avoided,  but  the  impression  was  that  it 
was  best  to  be  on  the  safe  side  and  guard  against  possible  danger 
that  might  arise  in  the  large  cities;  for  it  was  in  these  alone  that 
any  serious  efforts  were  apprehended  hostile  to  the  public  peace. 
On  the  whole  a  large  force  was  sent  home,  and  distributed  as 
public  interests  demanded.  Among  other  troops,  the  Eighteenth 
Regiment  was  ordered,  October  29th,  to  report  at  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  and  on  the  3oth  the  regiment  broke  camp  and  took 
the  cars  for  that  city.  As  the  boys  marched  off  from  their 
old  camp  ground  they  met  an  Iowa  regiment  on  its  way  to  take 
their  place.  When  the  Iowa  men  learned  that  the  regiment 
was  going  home  to  vote  for  Lincoln  they  made  the  air  ring  with 
their  cheers  for  "Old  Abe"  and  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut. 
These  western  men  were  running  over  with  enthusiasm  for  the 
great  leader  of  the  Union  cause  and  wished  their  Connecticut 
comrades  success  in  the  object  of  their  home  visit.  Great  en 
thusiasm  was  manifested  by  both  regiments  in  their  brief  ac 
quaintance. 

The  passage  from  Martinsburg  to  New  Haven  was  rapid  and 
pleasant.  Nothing  of  special  interest  occurred  save  in  New  York 
City.  While  passing  from  the  foot  of  Cortland  Street  to  Twenty- 
Seventh  Street  to  take  the  cars  for  New  Haven,  the  regiment 


3i6  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


was  subjected  to  all  manner  of  insults  from  the  roughs  of  New 
York.  The  "rebel  heathen"  showered  on  the  soldiers  all  sorts  of 
vile  names  and  their  conduct  generally  was  extremely  abusive 
and  outrageous,  although  they  knew  better  than  to  attempt  vio 
lence  on  any  of  Sheridan's  men.  In  Martinsburg  the  men  were 
cheered  and  complimented  for  their  devotion  to  the  flag  of  the 
Union,  but  in  the  streets  of  New  York,  within  a  few  hours'  ride 
of  their  own  homes,  the  men  who  had  hazarded  their  all  to  save 
this  same  New  York  from  being  burned  and  pillaged  by  Southern 
fire-eaters  and  traitor?,  marched  through  the  streets  under  the 
most  trying  circumstances.  Had  not  the  police  force  been  in  the 
interest  of  the  Rebellion  it  might  have  easily  protected  the  de 
fenders  of  their  country  from  such  a  mean  and  contemptible  out 
rage.  Nowhere  in  Virginia  or  Maryland  had  the  regiment  wit 
nessed  more  hatred  to  soldiers  than  the  New  York  bullies  mani 
fested  during  that  never-to-be-forgotten  march  from  the  Hudson 
River  to  the  depot  on  Twenty-Seventh  Street.  Arrived  at  New 
Haven  about  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  where  a  part  of  the  regiment  were 
allowed  to  go  to  there  homes,  while  the  other  part  was  put  on 
duty  at  the  conscript  camp. 

The  regiment  remained  in  the  State  until  after  the  8th  of 
November,  on  which  day  Abraham  Lincoln  was  re-elected  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  by  an  overwhelming  majority,  to  the 
great  joy  of  all  Union  men,  both  citizens  and  soldiers,  and  to  the 
chagrin  and  disappointment  of  the  rebels,  both  North  and  South. 
It  was  the  greatest  Union  victory  during  the  war.  It  destroyed 
every  vestige  of  hope  of  success  remaining  in  the  Confederacy. 
The  verdict  of  the  people  was  that  the  war  should  be  prosecuted 
to  the  bitter  end. 

Every  Union  soldier  had  as  much  reason  to  be  as  proud  of  his 
vote  on  that  day  as  if  he  had  sent  a  bullet  through  the  heart  of 
the  Confederacy.  In  fact  votes  on  that  occasion  were  more  fatal 
to  the  success  of  rebels  than  bullets,  and  hence  every  soldier 
who  voted  as  he  had  shot  was  doing  the  greatest  possible  service 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  317 


for  his  country  in  bringing  the  war  to  a  speedy  and  successful 
termination.  The  Eighteenth  Connecticut  had  a  proud  record 
on  the  8th  of  November,  1864.  It  never  performed  a  more  im 
portant  service  for  its  country  during  the  war  than  on  that  day, 
for  nearly  every  man  "voted  as  he  had  shot."  After  a  few 
days  furlough  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  return  to  Virginia. 
It  arrived  in  Martinsburg  on  November  i3th,  and  again  resumed 
its  old  service  at  the  front.  Lieut.  Caruthers,  with  a  detachment 
of  the  regime-nt,  was  ordered  to  drive  all  the  cattle  recaptured 
from  Early  in  the  valley  to  York,  Pennsylvania.  Nothing  else 
of  special  interest  occurred  until  Thanksgiving,  which  passed  off 
very  pleasantly,  many  of  the  boys  being  supplied  with  boxes  of 
poultry  and  other  goodies  from  home.  These  kind  remembrances 
were  none  the  less  gratefully  received  because  of  the  late  visit  to 
friends  at  home. 


3i8  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CHAPTER   XV. 

WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  HALLTOWN. 


November  23d.  Received  orders  to  report  at  Halltown.  This 
order  was  not  so  cheerfully  received  as  some  others  had  been. 
The  boys  liked  Martinsburg  and  hoped  to  go  into  winter  quarters 
there,  but  "the  powers  that  be"  ordered  otherwise,  and  there  was 
no  help  for  it.  Arriving  at  Halltown,  the  work  of  preparing 
winter  quarters  began  in  earnest.  I-og  and  board  huts  were  put 
up  in  a  substantial  manner  in  regular  order,  as  laid  down  in  the 
regulations,  and  the  whole  appearance  was  fine.  The  situation 
was  excellent,  being  a  short  distance  to  the  north  of  Harper's 
Ferry  and  Winchester  Railroad,  on  elevated  ground,  affording  a 
pleasant  prospect.  There  were  several  farm  houses  near,  among 
them  the  fine  residence  of  Col.  Washington,  of  [ohn  Brown  fame, 
who  was  afterward  killed  in  one  of  the  battles  near  Richmond. 
There  was  a  beautiful  stream  of  water  a  little  to  the  south,  on 
which  was  a  saw-mill,  where  the  boards  were  sawed  for  the  regi 
mental  city.  This  was  found  to  be  a  great  convenience.  Five 
large  barns  on  the  premises,  and  but  a  few  rods  away,  afforded 
good  accommodations  for  the  horses  and  mules  belonging  to  the 
regiment.  It  being  but  three  or  four  miles  to  Harper's  Ferry, 
that  place  could  be  frequently  visited,  on  leave  of  absence,  for 
such  supplies  as  could  not  be  obtained  nearer  the  camp.  The 
mails  for  the  regiment  came  to  that  place,  and  were  regularly 
brought  to  camp  every  day.  Setting  up  housekeeping  in  this 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  319 


delightful  place  was  attended,  on  the  whole,  with  but  little  incon 
venience,  and  few  accidents,  that  of  private  Joseph  Weaver,  who 
received  a  severe  cut  in  the  thigh  by  an  axe  in  the  hands  of  a 
comrade,  being  the  most  serious.  The  duty  of  the  regiment  was 
to  guard  the  railroad  leading  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  Winchester. 
On  the  whole  the  situation  was  as  pleasant  and  convenient  as 
one  could  reasonably  expect,  but  not  so  desirable  as  that  at 
Martin  sburg. 

December  opened  pleasantly  and  found  the  boys  very  com 
fortable  in  their  new  quarters.  The  camp  hospital  was  finely 
located  and  was  made  very  acceptable  to  the  sick  of  the  regiment. 
Surgeon  Hoi  brook,  assisted  by  Surgeon  Rowe  and  Steward  Dick 
Ripley,  succeeded  in  establishing  excellent  quarters  for  the  un 
fortunates  of  the  regiment,  and  paid  every  attention  to  their 
wants.  Orderlies  John  Harrington  and  David  Colvin,  Company 
B,  and  William  Comins,  Company  K,  were  in  attendance,  so 
that  there  should  be  no  lack  of  care  and  attention  in  this  depart 
ment.  No  complaint  was  ever  made  in  the  Eighteenth  of  want 
of  attention  to  the  sick  when  the  regiment  was  situated  so  that 
supplies  could  be  readily  obtained.  At  Halltown,  as  well  as  at 
Martinsburg  the  winter  previous,  the  writer  often  heard  the 
patients  say:  "We  could  not  be  better  cared  for  at  home  than  we 
are  here."  Perhaps  a  comparison  with  other  circumstances  in 
army  life  had  some  thing  to  do  with  producing  that  feeling  of 
satisfaction  which  many  of  the  men  experienced  at  such  times. 

On  the  fifth  of  the  month  the  chaplain  returned  to  the  regi 
ment  after  a  more  than  two  months'  sick  furlough.  His  return 
was  an  agreeable  event  to  himself,  and  he  had  every  reason  to 
believe  that  it  was  equally  pleasing  to  the  regiment.  It  was  un 
expected,  however,  by  all  parties,  for  his  health  had  suffered  so 
severely  by  chilis  and  fever  that  his  life  had  been  despaired  of 
for  several  weeks,  and  no  one  who  saw  him  at  that  time  sup 
posed  he  would  ever  be  able  to  return  to  the  service.  But  in 
twenty  days  after  he  was  able  to  go  out  into  the  open  air  he  re 
turned  to  his  regiment,  though  still  in  feeble  health. 


320  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


His  return  was  highly  gratifying  to  him  because  of  the  hearty 
congratulations  he  received  from  all  parties.  The  next  Sunday 
religious  services  were  resumed  in  the  hospital  as  there  was  no 
chapel  tent  on  the  ground.  The  following  Sabbath  there  was  pub 
lic  service  in  the  same  place.  The  two  Sundays  following  the 
chaplain  preached  in  the  open  air.  On  the  evening  of  the  last 
there  was  a  very  interesting  religious  service  at  a  private  house  a 
short  distance  to  the  south  of  camp.  Christmas  and  New-Year 
passed  off  very  pleasantly.  Several  boxes  of  good  things  were  re 
ceived  from  friends  at  home.  Some  of  the  boys  went  "foraging" 
and  carried  on  quite  a  trade  with  the  natives  for  milk  and  eggs,  and 
the  chaplain  and  Surgeon  Holbrook  had  Christmas  dinner  at  Mr. 
Elsee's  near  by,  where  the  Surgeon's  wife  was  boarding  at  the 
time.  The  doctor's  example  became  contagious.  Other  mem 
bers  of  the  regiment  sent  for  their  "better  halves"  and  began  to 
"board  out"  and  seemed  quite  happy  in  their  new  quarters.  The 
sight  of  a  Yankee  woman  in  camp  occasionally  was  a  great  rarity 
and  always  had  a  pleasing  effect.  "Tom,"  of  Company  H,  said 
he  would  give  more  to  see  a  Yankee  checked  apron  than  all  the 
women  of  Virginia. 

The  first  week  in  January  fitted  up  Sutler  Kingsbury's  tent 
for  a  chapel.  Obtained  boards  from  the  saw-mill  for  seats,  and 
used  a  box  about  a  foot  and  a  half  square  for  a  platform,  to  which 
was  attached  a  pulpit  desk,  consisting  of  a  board  five  or  six  inches 
wide,  of  sufficient  height,  square  on  top  for  a  small  bible  and 
hymn  book.  The  ground  floor  was  finely  carpeted  with  saw 
dust,  three  or  four  inches  in  thickness.  On  the  whole  it  was 
quite  convenient  and  comfortable,  and  by  crowding  would  ac 
commodate  about  one  hundred  persons.  Through  the  kindness 
of  Rev.  E.  Cushman,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  the  tent  was  sup 
plied  with  seventy-five  hymn  books  and  over  two  hundred  volumes 
of  other  books  for  a  regimental  library.  In  addition  to  these, 
there  was  received  a  number  of  home  papers,  such  as  the  Chris 
tian  Secretary,  Norwich  Courier,  Willimantic  Journal,  Windham 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  321 


County  Transcript,  and  several  monthlies.  Altogether  this  made 
quite  a  respectable  library,  being  arranged  on  a  shelf  reaching 
across  the  end  of  the  tent.  There  was  a  table  also  for  papers 
and  writing  material,  the  latter  being  furnished  by  the  Christian 
Commission  at  Harper's  Ferry.  The  chapel  was  accessible  at  all 
hours  of  the  day  and  lighted  up  every  evening,  and  the  members 
of  the  regiment  often  frequented  it,  where  they  read,  sung,  chatted 
and  wrote  letters  as  freely  as  they  pleased.  The  month  of 
January  passed  off  pleasantly.  John  Harrington  had  charge  of 
the  tent  and  library,  and  on  the  whole  the  men  found  a  great 
deal  of  pleasurable  employment  in  their  daily  visitations.  Once 
a  week  they  met  for  a  singing  school.  This  proved  a  source  of 
great  enjoyment,  and  many  an  evening  was  spent  in  this  way. 
In  addition  to  these  religious  and  social  privileges,  there  were 
distributed  religious  papers  in  every  tent  in  camp,  procured  from 
the  Christian  Commission.  This  was  done  generally  every  Sun 
day  morning.  A  large  number  of  testaments  and  small  hymn 
books  were  received  from  the  same  source,  all  of  which  seemed 
to  be  highly  appreciated  by  the  regiment.  During  this  month 
Company  A,  under  Lieut.  Robert  Kerr,  was  ordered  to  Harper's 
Ferry  on  provost  duty,  and  Companies  D  and  I  were  sent  to 
Duffield  Station,  up  the  B.  &  O.  R.  R.  These  companies  did 
excellent  service  in  their  new  position  and  received  commendation 
from  their  superior  officers. 

During  the  month  of  February,  there  was  considerable  relig 
ious  interest  in  camp.  The  military  service  of  the  regiment  was 
as  usual,  doing  picket  duty  in  various  directions.  On  the  5th 
there  was  a  lively  time;  the  pickets  reported  to  Lieut.  Caruthers, 
who  was  in  command,  that  they  had  seen  what  was  supposed  to 
be  rebels  creeping  along  the  edge  of  a  wood-lot  a  mile  away  to 
the  southwest  of  the  picket  line.  The  lieutenant  credited  the 
report  and  laid  his  plans  to  gobble  them  up  if  they  did  not  ford 
the  Shenandoah  River.  Accordingly,  with  a  detachment  of  men, 
under  cover  of  the  woods,  he  advanced  towards  the  river  in  a 

41 


322  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


crescent  line  of  battle,  himself  occupying  the  center.  When 
the  right  and  left  wings  reached  the  river,  the  center  began  to 
close  up  through  the  woods,  but  had  not  advanced  far  before  five 
rebels  jumped  up  and  began  to  run,  but  they  did  not  get  very 
far  as  they  perceived  that  they  were  surrounded,  and  surren 
dered.  They  were  taken  into  camp  and  marched  up  to  Col. 
Peale's  head-quarters  for  examination.  As  they  approached  the 
camp  all  hands  turned  out  to  see  them,  and  for  a  time  there 
was  considerable  excitement.  The  men  railed  them,  and  asked 
many  provoking  questions,  such  as:  "Halloo,  Johnny,  where  are 
you  from?"  "Have  you  seen  Jeff,  lately?"  "Sheridan  has  gone 
up  the  valley  to  bring  down  the  Confederate  treasury.  He  is 
going  to  pay  you  off  in  your  own  coin."  "How  is  Anderson- 
ville?"  "Are  you  going  down  to  Washington  to  make  a  treaty 
oi  peace?"  "Say,  boys,  Jeff,  has  sent  down  five  'rebs'  to  make 
peace."  Up  to  this  time  the  prisoners  had  kept  up  a  very  sour 
countenance,  and  looked  daggers  at  the  hated  Yankees,  but  they 
gave  in  at  last,  and  joined  with  the  men  in  a  good  hearty 
laugh.  One  of  them  said:  "I  reckon  you  are  having  some  fun 
at  my  expense.  Have  you  got  any  whisky?"  This  response 
brought  down  the  house  again,  and  the  cry  rang  through  the 
regiment:  "Peace  commissioners  !  Peace  commissioners  !"  After 
an  examination  at  head-quarters,  these  gentlemen  were  sent  off 
in  the  direction  of  Washington  on  their  peace  commission. 

The  officers  in  command  at  Halltown  were:  Lieut.  Col.  Henry 
Peale,  commanding;  Maj.  Joseph  Matthewson  on  duty,  Surgeon 
Lowell  Holbrook,  Chaplain  W.  C.  Walker,  Assistant  Surgeon 
Charles  H.  Rowe,  Adjutant  George  W.  Brady,  Acting  Quarter 
master  Lieut.  N.  P.  Johnson,  Commissary  Sergeant  T.  Parker. 

The  following  officers  were  in  command  of  companies:  Capt. 
I.  N.  Kibbe,  Company  B;  Capt.  J.  P.  Rockwell,  Company  C; 
Lieut.  F.  G.  Bixby,  Company  D;  Capt.  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  Compa 
ny  E;  Lieut.  John  FYancis,  Company  F;  Lieut.  Albert  S.  Grang 
er,  Company  G;  Lieut.  Caruthers,  Company  H;  Capt.  John  Lil- 
ley,  Company  I;  Lieut.  H.  Blanchard,  Company  K, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  323 


Capt.  Charles    H.  Bowen,  Company   H,  who  had  been  absent 
from  the  regiment  as  a  prisoner  of  war,   appeared  again  on  the 
monthly  report,  at  Annapolis.     Capt.   Joseph    P.    Rockwell  was 
absent  on  detached  duty  at  department  head-quarters,  Harper's 
Ferry.      Lieut.    Frank  G.    Bixby  was   reported   at    Martinsburg, 
on  duty  at  department  head-quarters,  and  Lieut.    E.   S.  Hinck- 
ley    was    in    command   of    Company    D,    at    Brown's    Crossing, 
near  Duffield  Station.      At  this  latter  place  Capt.   John    Lilley 
was  in  command  of  Company    I.      Lieut.    Robert    Kerr  was  still 
at  Harper's  Ferry,  in  command  of  Company  A,   doing  provost 
duty  under  Capt.  A.  D.  Pratt,  of  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachusetts 
Volunteers.   Capt.  Pratt  occupied  the  position  of  provost  marshal 
for  a  long  time  at  the  Ferry,  and  was  in  high  repute  as  an  officer 
of  the  government.      He  gave  Company  A,  of  the   Eighteenth 
Connecticut   Volunteers,  an    excellent    name  as  a  provost  guard. 
He  gave  the  men  a  new  suit  after  their  summer  and  fall  campaign, 
of  which    they  were  in  great  need.     The  officers  and  soldiers  of 
the   Eighteenth  cherish  kind  remembrances  of  Capt.  Pratt.      At 
one  time  there  was  a  little  unpleasantness  between  the  Eighteenth 
and  the  Thirty-Fourth  Massachusetts,  but  as  a  whole  they  lived 
on   excellent  terms.      The  Thirty-Fourth  were    ever  regarded  by 
us  as  a  brave,  patriotic  regiment,  and  marched  and  fought  well  in 
the  valley  campaigns  of   1864. 

There  had  been  a  steady  increase  in  the  rank  and  file  of  the 
regiment  from  the  time  it  was  ordered  to  Halltown.  The  sum 
mer  and  fall  campaigns  had  greatly  reduced  the  regiment,  a  large 
number  had  been  killed  and  wounded  in  battle,  and  many  more 
were  disabled  from  sickness,  and  other  causes  contributed  to 
reduce  its  numerical  strength.  At  the  close  of  the  campaigns 
the  monthly  reports  showed  less  than  two  hundred  men  for  duty, 
and  not  more  than  eight  or  ten  commissioned  officers,  but  by  the 
first  part  of  F'ebruary,  1865,  there  was  a  perceptible  change  for  the 
better.  Several  of  the  old  officers  had  returned  from  their  long 
imprisonment  in  Dixie,  and  other  officers  had  been  promoted, 


324  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


so  that  at  length  the  regiment  could  boast  of  twenty  commis 
sioned  officers  and  four  hundred  and  seventy-eight  men  present 
for  duty. 

In  the  meantime  the  following  promotions  were  made:  First 
Lieut.  Horatio  Blanchard  to  be  captain  of  Compan)  G,  commis 
sion  to  date  from  January  3Oth;  Second  Lieut.  John  A.  Francis 
to  be  first  lieutenant  of  Company  B;  Second  Lieut.  William  Caru- 
thers  to  be  first  lieutenant  of  Company  E,  date  of  commission 
January  jth;  First  Sergeant  Charles  A.  Murray,  Company  F,  to 
be  second  lieutenant  of  Company  F,  commission  to  date  from 
January  3oth. 

The  constant  changes  which  were  taking  place,  and  the  "polite 
attention"  of  the  bushwhacking  rebels  in  the  vicinity  of  Charles- 
town  and  up  the  Shenandoah  River,  and  the  fear  of  raids  on  the 
B.  &  ().  R.  R.,  kept  the  regiment  on  the  alert. 

The  guerrillas  made  a  dash  on  Company  I,  at  Duffield  Sta 
tion,  spreading  alarm  all  along  the  line.  No  special  harm  was 
done,  but  it  kept  the  boys  from  going  to  sleep  and  from 
indifference  to  the  situation.  Rumors  of  peace  almost  daily 
produced  a  healthy  excitement,  and  the  boys  discussed  freely  the 
"good  time  coming."  Letter  writing  was  a  pastime,  and  the 
Eighteenth  maintained  its  reputation  as  a  writing  regiment.  At 
one  time  there  was  great  excitement  in  regard  to  two  deserters 
who  were  to  be  shot  at  Harper's  Ferry.  The  time  appointed 
arrived,  (February  i7th)  and  nearly  all  the  troops  in  the  vicinity 
were  called  out  to  witness  the  scene.  The  execution  was  to  take 
place  near  the  Ferry  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day  designated,  but 
after  all  the  arrangements  had  been  completed,  the  prayers  of  the 
clergymen  ended,  the  eyes  of  the  condemned  were  bandaged,  and 
they  were  sitting  upon  their  coffins  waiting  for  the  fatal  order 
which  would  send  their  souls  into  eternity,  an  orderly  rode  up 
from  head-quarters  bearing  a  reprieve  from  President  Lincoln. 
During  the  preliminary  exercises,  a  death-like  silence  prevailed 
among  the  vast  number  of  spectators  to  the  awful  scene,  and  al- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  325 


though  the  pardon  was  wholly  unexpected  by  the  deserters  them 
selves,  still  its  promulgation  scarcely  broke  it.  Even  the  poor 
deserters  seemed  stupefied  with  amazement,  and  manifested  but 
little  emotion.  There  were  a  few  faint  cheers  at  one  or  two 
points,  but  as  a  whole  the  bystanders  walked  away  in  thoughtful 
silence,  a  silence  almost  oppressive.  The  whole  scene  was  one 
not  soon  to  be  forgotten. 

February  i8th.  Rev.  Mr.  Grosvenor,  of  Canterbury,  Conn., 
made  the  regiment  a  visit.  He  was  in  the  service  of  the  Chris- 
tain  Commission,  and  it  was  quite  cheering  to  see  a  friend  from 
home. 

The  regiment  will  never  forget  the  severe  winter  of  1864-65. 
At  least  the  numerous  "cold  snaps,"  as  they  were  called,  which 
rendered  the  situation  at  times  very  uncomfortable.  The  first 
snow  appeared  in  December,  and  during  the  three  winter  months 
there  were  at  least  ten  snow  storms.  At  one  time  the  snow 
fell  two  inches  deep,  at  another  four  inches,  and  February  iQth 
the  snow  was  nearly  a  foot  and  a  half  deep.  This  was  thought 
to  be  doing  pretty  well  for  old  Virginia.  At  one  time  there  was 
good  sleighing  for  a  day  or  two;  sleigh-bells  reminding  one  of 
"home,  sweet  home,"  of  sleighing  parties  and  the  like,  but  the 
boys  did  not  try  to  get  up  any  sleighing  parties  at  Halltown. 
The  severe  weather  interfered  very  much  with  company  and  bat 
talion  drills  and  dress-parades.  There  were  but  a  few  of  these, 
comparatively,  during  the  cold  season,  for  it  was  extremely  cold 
for  the  climate,  and  the  men  on  guard  and  at  out-posts  had 
bitter  experience. 

Company  inspections  occurred  generally  once  a  week,  and  bat 
talion  as  occasion  required.  During  the  month  the  regiment 
was  inspected  by  Gen.  Seward,  from  Martinsburg,  and  Gen. 
Crook  and  staff,  and  official  reports  give  great  credit  to  the 
officers  for  faithful  and  competent  discharge  of  their  duties. 
The  inspector  general  expressed  his  satisfaction  with  the  dis 
cipline  and  moral  bearing  of  the  regiment,  and  remarked  at 


326  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

the  time  to  the  writer  that  in  these  respects  "the  Eighteenth 
Connecticut  was  more  than  an  average."  Col.  Peale  was  com 
mended  for  the  completeness  of  the  official  records  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  paid  a  well-deserved  compliment  to  Adjutant  George 
W.  Brady. 

The  second  day  after  the  arrival  of  the  regiment  at  Hall- 
town,  Col.  Peale  was  ordered  with  his  command  to  Keyes  Gap, 
five  miles  from  Harper's  Ferry.  Arrived  about  noon  the  same 
day,  and  remained  four  days,  when  the  colonel  returned  to  camp. 
Nothing  of  special  interest  occurred,  except  that  another  pig  ran 
against  the  men's  bayonets,  and  as  a  natural  consequence  they 
had  fried  pig  while  they  remained  at  the  gap. 

Corporal  James  H.  Sawyer,  Company  B,  drew  a  picture  of 
Col.  Peale's  tent,  interior  as'well  as  exterior.  Corporal  Sawyer 
showed  remarkable  ability  and  taste  in  other  sketches  he  drew 
of  camp  scenes  while  at  Halltown.  One  description  of  the 
camp  was  sent  to  New  York  and  engraved.  A  large  number 
of  copies  was  sold  among  the  members  of  the  regiment.  The 
picture  gave  great  satisfaction,  and  now  adorns  many  a  parlor 
in  New  London  and  Windham  Counties.  Sawyer  was  a  general 
favorite,  and  he  drew  many  sketches  of  a  soldier's  life,  which 
gave  him  quite  a  notoriety  as  an  artist.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  he  was  a  good  soldier,  always  true  and  reliable. 

During  the  winter  a  detail  of  one  hundred  men  was  sent  to 
the  Ferry  to  work  on  the  suspension  bridge,  which  fell  through 
on  account  of  defective  wires,  and  several  men  were  injured  by 
the  catastrophe.  Later  the  same  number  of  men  were  sent  to 
aid  in  the  completion  of  these  repairs.  The  service  was  no 
boys'  play,  and  was  attended  with  considerable  risk. 

On  the  night  of  February  24th  there  was  considerable  excite 
ment  at  one  of  the  out-posts.  A  scouting  party  of  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry  came  upon  the  pickets  of  the  regiment, 
and  shots  were  exchanged,  but  no  harm  was  done.  Both  parties 
mistook  each  other  for  rebels  and  blazed  away  "right  smart." 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  327 


Company  B  turned  out  and  went  in  the  direction  of  the  firing, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Kibbe.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say 
that  great  bravery  was  displayed  by  all  the  parties  concerned  in 
the  affair.  A  certain  lieutenant  exhibited  great  courage  in  the 
"retreat."  The  whole  affair  was  a  nice  little  joke,  which  did  not 
lose  its  interest  for  a  long  time. 

Great  excitement  again  at  a  picket-post.  Wonderful  dexterity 
displayed,  and  at  last  the  enemy  was  captured — an  "opossum"- 
a  queer-looking,  carniverous  animal,  characterized  by  its  prehen 
sile  tail.  This  was  pronounced  a  smart-looking  animal  and  was 
carried  into  camp  at  night,  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  men, 
who  congratulated  the  captors  on  their  remarkable  feat. 

Occurrences  of  this  kind  relieved  the  monotony  of  camp-life  at 
Halltown,  and  rendered  its  disagreeableness  more  endurable. 
The  month  of  March  opened  cloudy  and  chilly,  with  the  wind 
blowing  hard  all  day.  The  position  was  such  that  when  there 
was  a  blow  every  man  knew  it  and  felt  it.  The  mud  often  pre 
vented  drilling  by  companies  or  in  battalion,  and  dress-parades 
were  dispensed  with.  About  this  time  Gen.  Hancock's  corps 
went  into  camp  near  Halltown,  on  its  way  to  join  the  army  of 
the  Potomac  for  the  investment  of  Richmond. 

On  March  9th,  commissioners  arrived  from  Connecticut  to  re 
ceive  the  vote  of  the  regiment  for  State  officers,  and  most  of  the 
men  voted  once  more  for  their  old  friend,  William  A.  Bucking 
ham.  In  this  service  they  were  very  earnest  and  enthusiastic. 
Another  good  day's  work  for  their  country,  for  Governor  Buck 
ingham  stood  up  nobly  in  aid  of  the  government  in  its  efforts  to 
crush  out  the  spirit  of  Secession,  both  North  and  South. 

March  i3th,  about  four  P.  M.,  had  another  scene  at  picket- 
post.  A  squad  of  rebels  came  suddenly  upon  our  men,  being  in 
hot  pursuit  of  a  citizen  who  was  escaping  from  rebeldom.  On 
seeing  the  Yankees  they  halted,  fired  a  volley,  and  then  turned 
and  rode  away  in  great  haste.  The  pickets  deployed  at  once, 
formed  a  skirmish  line  and  pursued  the  rebels,  but  to  no  pur- 


328  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


pose.  Being  well  mounted,  the  enemy  had  no  difficulty  in 
getting  away. 

The  next  day  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-First  Ohio  In 
fantry  camped  near  Halltown.  It  was  a  new  regiment  and 
numbered  one  thousand  men.  The  men  appeared  so  "green"  in 
their  movements  that  no  little  merriment  among  old  soldiers  was 
occasioned  by  their  action,  the  veterans  forgetting  that  they  were 
"green"  once  themselves.  On  the  i5th,  Col.  Peale  received  or 
ders  to  remove  to  Marti nsburg.  The  regiment  was  relieved  by 
the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-Fourth  Indiana  Regiment  at  six 
o'clock  P.  M.  In  one  hour  everything  was  packed  in  readiness 
to  march,  but  did  not  move  until  the  next  morning  at  seven  A. 
M.,  when  the  regiment  marched  to  the  Ferry  and  was  boxed  up 
for  Martinsburg.  The  day  was  stormy  and  cold.  The  train 
was  delayed  on  account  of  the  breaking  down  of  the  trestle-work 
on  a  bridge.  The  regiment  was  made  exceedingly  uncomfortable 
through  the  day.  Did  not  arrive  in  camp  at  Martinsburg  until 
eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  Relieved  the  Ninety-Fifth  Ohio 
Infantry  a  little  distance  from  the  town.  It  was  a  very  dark 
night,  and  much  difficulty  was  experienced  in  finding  a  position 
and  establishing  pickets. 

Next  day  was  pleasant  and  warm,  but  windy.  The  work  of 
getting  settled  for  housekeeping  progressed  finely.  Companies 
B,  I,  G  and  D  pitched  their  tents  on  the  bare  ground.  The 
whole  day  was  devoted  to  hard  work  upon  the  quarters,  which 
were  none  too  comfortable  at  first.  The  camp  was  near  the  road 
leading  toward  Winchester.  The  field  and  stafi  were  upon  the 
east  side  of  the  road  and  the  regiment,  with  its  line  officers,  were 
upon  the  west.  On  the  whole,  the  location  was  very  good.  A 
short  distance  away  there  were  a  number  of  dwelling  houses,  and 
a  little  to  the  left  of  Col.  Peale's  quarters  there  was  a  large  log 
house,  which  had  been  used  for  a  chapel  tent.  It  had  no  cover 
ing  when  the  regiment  arrived,  but  the  Christian  Commission 
soon  furnished  one,  and  the  tent  was  put  ita  good  order  for  the 
purposes  of  a  library  and  religious  services. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  329 


The  removal  of  the  regiment  to  Martinsburg  proved  to  be  the 
last  change  until  the  war  closed  and  the  regiment  was  mustered 
out  of  service  and  ordered  home.  At  least  the  head-quarters  of 
the  battalion  was  at  this  place.  There  were  many  changes,  how 
ever,  in  companies,  and  in  the  officers  and  privates  during  the 
month  of  March.  While  these  changes  favored  the  numerical 
strength  of  the  regiment,  still  there  were  missing  several  familiar 
faces  in  the  rank  and  file. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  H.  Rowe  was  on  duty  in  the  hos 
pital  at  Harper's  Ferry,  to  which  place  he  was  ordered  January 
6th.  Capt.  Joseph  P.  Rockwell  was  also  on  detached  duty  at  the 
same  place,  as  A.  A.  I.  G.  fifth  division,  department  of  West 
Virginia,  and  had  been  there  since  January  i;th.  First  Lieut. 
Frank  G.  Bixby  was  still  at  third  division  department  head 
quarters,  WTest  Virginia,  at  Martinsburg;  part  of  the  time  as 
judge-advocate  of  a  court  marshal,  and  afterwards  as  recorder  of 
a  court  of  inquiry. 

At  about  this  time  the  good  news  reached  the  regiment  that 
another  squad  of  its  officers,  reported  as  missing  after  the  action 
at  Winchester,  June,  1863,  had  been  released  on  parole,  and  had 
arrived  at  Annapolis,  Md.  These  were  Capt.  Henry  C.  Davis, 
Company  A;  Capt.  J.  E.  Woodward,  Company  F;  Capt.  E.  J. 
Mathewson,  Company  K;  First  Lieut.  A.  H.  Lindsay,  Compa 
ny  A;  Quartermaster  D.  W.  Hakes;  First  Lieut.  S.  T.  C. 
Merwin,  Company  C;  First  Lieut.  A.  W.  Loomis,  Company  H; 
Second  Lieut.  A.  G.  Scranton,  Company  K;  Second  Lieut.  E. 
D.  Carpenter,  Company  B;  First  Lieut.  H.  F.  Cowles,  Com 
pany  F;  Second  Lieut.  Frank  McKeag,  Company  E;  Second 
Lieut.  W.  H.  Locke,  Company  H;  and  Second  Lieut.  George 
Kies,  Company  K — thirteen  in  all.  It  was  a  time  of  general  re 
joicing  when  it  was  announced  that  these  officers  had  been  re 
leased  from  their  long  confinement  in  rebel  prisons,  and  their 
return  to  the  regiment  was  looked  for  with  the  deepest  interest. 
But  this  return  was  not  expected  until  they  had  been  permitted 


330  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

to  visit  their  homes  on  a  leave  of  absence,  which  was  readily 
granted,  and  consequently  there  was  great  joy  in  many  a  Con 
necticut  home. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  Carpenter,  Company  B,  writes  of  his  release  as 
follows:  ''I  arrived  home  on  March  22d,  1865,  having  been  ab 
sent  thirty-one  months.  I  was  received  by  a  large  concourse  of 
friends  and  citizens  with  joyful  congratulations,  as  one  returned 
almost  from  the  dead.  My  wife  dare  not  meet  me  at  the  depot, 
being  so  completely  overcome  with  emotion  by  the  joyful  event." 

Similar  scenes  were  witnessed  in  other  parts  of  Windham  and 
New  London  Counties,  and  the  daily  papers  had  much  to  say  of 
these  unexpected  arrivals,  and  the  exciting  incidents  attending 
them.  The  change  from  rebel  prisons  to  the  sweet  homes  in 
Yankee-land  was  to  the  released  prisoners  like  a  transition  to 
Paradise,  as  during  the  war  the  South  was  properly  designated 
as  the  "no-God  country,"  and  a  rebel  prison  as  "hell." 

About  this  time  letters  began  to  be  received  at  Martinsburg 
from  the  paroled  officers  to  members  of  their  respective  compa 
nies  with  reference  to  their  return,  which  was  anticipated  gener 
ally  with  great  pleasure. 

On  March  22d  a  number  of  deserters  came  into  camp,  and 
were  taken  to  head-quarters,  or  to  the  provost  marshal's  office 
to  take  the  oath.  The  bringing  in,  also,  of  four  horse  thieves 
by  the  sheriff  of  the  county  created  no  little  stir.  They  proved 
to  be  deserters  from  Cole's  cavalry,  and  were  taken  to  Gen. 
Seward's  head-quarters. 

March  230!  was  a  very  cold,  blustering  day.  The  location  of 
the  camp  was  such  that  of  a  windy  day,  let  the  wind  come  from 
any  quarter  it  would,  it  seemed  to  carry  all  before  it.  In  the  af 
ternoon,  at  battalion  drill,  there  \vas  a  tremendous  shower  of 
rain  and  hail,  which  forced  the  regiment  back  to  camp  in  a 
hurry.  The  next  morning  it  snowed  and  blew  severely,  and  then 
followed  a  gale  which  lasted  all  the  afternoon.  The  unpleasant 
aspect  of  things  was  somewhat  relieved,  however,  by  a  rumor 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  331 


that  the  paymaster  would  cotne  the  next  day.  The  presence  of 
this  important  personage  was  considered  an  effectual  panacea 
for  disagreeable  things  at  any  time. 

From  the  time  that  the  regiment  went  into  winter  quarters  at 
Halltown,  until  it  was  ordered  to  Martinsburg,  there  had  been  a 
gradual  and  commendable  interest  manifested  by  the  officers  that 
the  regiment  might  assume  a  more  military  appearance.  The 
uniforms  were  improved,  or  old  ones  were  exchanged  for  new, 
muskets  were  kept  cleaner  and  brighter,  and  both  officers  and 
men  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  their  attempts  to  regain 
their  former  popularity  as  a  well  equipped  and  well  drilled  regi 
ment.  As  the.  weather  became  milder,  and  the  grounds  for  drill 
and  dress-parades  improved,  by  the  last  of  March  the  battalion 
made  a  fine  show  as  to  numbers  and  discipline.  Their  move 
ments  on  dress-parades,  especially,  attracted  great  attention  and 
won  for  them  many  compliments,  both  from  the  officers  at  de 
partment  head-quarters,  and  the  citizens  who  were  generally 
present  in  respectable  numbers.  Gen.  Sevvard  was  occasionally 
present,  or  some  member  of  his  staff,  and  always  seemed  pleased 
with  the  manner  in  which  the  Eighteenth  attended  to  its  duties. 

March  27th  was  a  beautiful  day.  In  the  afternoon  had  bat 
talion  drill  on  the  old  grounds  on  the  south  side  of  the  Tuscaro- 
ra  road.  Field  and  staff  turned  out,  and  the  occasion  was  quite 
novel  and  exciting. 

The  log  house  which  had  been  furnished  with  a  canvas  roof 
by  the  Christian  Commission,  as  previously  stated,  proved  a  very 
convenient  place  for  religious  services  on  the  Sabbath.  Preach 
ing  service  was  held  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  bible  class  in  the 
afternoon,  and  services  again  in  the  evening.  The  chaplain  was 
often  assisted  by  some  of  the  Christian  Commission — Rev.  A. 
V.  Tilton,  of  Massachusetts,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Redlan,  of  Maine, 
preaching  occasionally,  much  to  the  gratification  of  all.  Bibles, 
testaments  and  other  religious  papers  were  furnished  by  the  com 
mission  upon  application  on  the  part  of  the  chaplain,  and  also 
writing  material, 


332  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  library  which  had  been  used  at  Halltown  was  removed  to 
the  chapel  tent,  and  was  consequently  in  use  by  the  regiment. 
Private  John  Harrington  still  had  charge  of  the  tent  and  the 
library,  and  was  very  useful  in  this  department  as  well  as  in  the 
hospital. 

The  tent  had  a  platform  and  seats  made  of  hewn  logs,  and 
was  carpeted  with  wheat  straw  or  sawdust.  It  made  a  pleasant 
place  of  resort  during  the  day  and  evening  for  reading,  writing, 
or  singing.  The  Eighteenth  retain  very  pleasant  recollections 
of  this  building  and  its  associations.  It  was  especially  visited 
on  the  Sabbath  by  citizens  of  the  town,  who  seemed  well  pleased 
with  the  intellectual  and  spiritual  privileges  of  the  soldiers.  It 
was  quite  agreeable  to  the  men  to  receive  these  visits  from  the 
towns-people,  both  in  camp  and  in  their  chapel. 

The  month  of  April  opened  with  beautiful  weather  and  excit 
ing  news  from  the  front.  For  several  weeks  previously  much 
interest  had  been  felt  in  rumored  movements  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  the  expectations  of  all  were  most  hopeful  and 
cheering.  At  dress-parade  on  the  2d  there  was  unusual  interest, 
and  many  citizens  from  town  were  present,  and  on  the  next  day 
at  dress-parade  a  dispatch  was  read  from  department  head-quar 
ters  that  Richmond  was  taken.  Glorious  news!  The  whole 
line  broke  out  in  the  most  vociferous  cheering,  in  which  most  of 
the  spectators  joined.  Everybody  seemed  almost  frantic  with 
joy,  and  greeted  each  other  with  the  most  hearty  congratulations 
and  expressions  of  delight.  Cheers  went  up  for  the  Union,  Gen. 
Grant,  and  everybody.  It  was  the  most  joyous  day  since  the 
commencement  of  the  war.  Other  great  victories  for  the  Union 
arms  had  given  great  joy  to  the  nation,  but  the  jubilation  over 
this  event  exceeded  all  former  demonstrations.  It  was  the  cli 
max,  the  end  of  the  terrible  struggle  which  had  cost  so  many 
precious  lives,  and  desolated  so  many  happy  homes.  When  the 
men  broke  ranks  that  night  it  was  with  feelings  of  -'joy  unspeak 
able,"  and  their  minds  filled  with  delightful  thoughts  of  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  333 

speedy  end  of  the  war.  "This,"  said  one  of  the  men,  "is  what 
we  have  been  striving  for  since  the  commencement  of  the  war." 
The  sun  never  went  down  on  a  happier  set  of  men  than  the 
Eighteenth  Connecticut  on  that  eventful  day.  Singing,  shout 
ing,  cheering,  serenading  by  the  band,  and  other  demonstrations 
were  the  order  of  the  evening.  But  what  shall  be  said  of  the 
doings  of  the  following  day,  Tuesday,  April  4th.  Another  great 
day;  "a  high  day."  The  papers  were  full  of  glorious  accounts  of 
the  fall  of  Richmond,  and  the  joyous  acclamations  and  rejoicings 
of  the  people  all  over  the  north  and  west.  The  whole  people 
seemed  to  be  almost  delirious  with  joy,  and  every  conceivable 
mode  and  manner  were  adopted  in  efforts  to  express  it.  And 
then  to  add,  if  possible,  to  the  public  excitement,  a  dispatch  was 
received  at  Martinsburg  that  Gen.  Lee's  whole  army  had  sur 
rendered  to  Gen.  Grant.  The  sensation  and  excitement  were 
profound  through  the  day,  and  no  language  could  do  the  occa 
sion  justice. 

In  the  evening  the  citizens  illuminated  their  houses,  and 
everybody  who  could  went  into  the  town  and  joined  in  celebrat 
ing  the  glorious  event.  THe  Union  citizens  were  almost  fran 
tic  with  joy,  and  adopted  a  variety  of  ways  to  entertain  and 
honor  the  soldiers,  and  the  joy  in  all  homes  of  the  Union  was 
sincere  and  unbounded.  The  men  returned  to  camp  to  continue 
the  celebration,  and  the  band  and  drum  corps  played  until  nearly 
midnight.  There  was  but  little  sleep  in  camp  that  night. 

The  next  day  was  another  joyful  occasion  as  the  paymaster 
appeared  at  head-quarters  with  a  pile  of  greenbacks.  The  regi 
ment  received  four  months'  wages,  the  disbursement  commenc 
ing  with  Company  A  at  eight  A.  M.,  and  ending  with  Company 
K  at  three  P.  M.  Some  of  the  men  felt  so  good  over  the  news 
that  they  went  off  "for  a  time,"  which,  however,  did  not  pay 
very  well  in  the  end,  as  most  of  them  realized  when  they  found 
themselves  without  most  of  their  money,  and  suffering  badly  in 
mind  and  body.  As  a  natural  consequence  it  was  very  dull  in. 


334  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


camp  next  day,  and  the  weather  being  unpleasant  and  rainy  most 
of  the  time  there  was  not  much  to  do  but  to  wonder  what  would 
turn  up  next,  and  how  soon  the  regiment  would  be  "marching 
home  again."  It  was  the  general  opinion  that  there  would  be 
no  more  fighting,  and  the  soldiers  would  soon  be  on  their  way 
to  their  Northern  homes.  But  how  mistaken  everybody  was  in 
their  calculations.  When  the  companies  were  ordered  out  for 
drill  the  next  day  it  is  no  wonder  there  was  grumbling.  "What 
is  the  use  of  all  this,  now  the  fighting  is  all  over?"  was  the  com 
plaint  heard  on  all  sides.  The  men  did  not  realize  how  much 
service  they  must  yet  render  the  government  in  order  to  square 
the  account  with  the  Rebellion,  and  the  idea  of  remaining  three 
months  longer  was  not  indulged  in  tor  a  moment.  But  stay  they 
did,  however,  and  the  men  had  ample  time  to  do  a  large  amount 
of  grumbling. 

April  1 4th  was  a  day  of  great  rejoicing,  and  in  the  evening 
there  was  a  grand  illumination  over  Lee's  surrender.  Every 
body  seemed  nearly  crazy  with  joy.  The  Eighteenth,  Coles' 
Battalion,  (cavalry)  Second  Maryland,  and  a  battery,  marched  in 
the  procession  through  the  streets  of  Martinsburg  amid  the  most 
joyful  demonstrations. 

It  was  a  beautiful  day,  and  the  most  joyful  one  the  men  had 
seen  since  they  entered  the  public  service.  "We  shall  have 
peace  now,"  was  the  happy  thought  that  filled  every  breast. 
But  when  the  shades  of  evening  gathered  around  the  camp  that 
night  they  were  emblematic  of  the  darkness  of  the  coming  day, 
when  a  cloud  of  sorrow  would  envelop  the  nation.  At  "taps" 
the  lights  went  out,  and  silence  prevailed  throughout  the  camp. 
It  was  the  calm  that  often  precedes  the  terrible  storm. 

Early  the  next  morning,  April  i5th,  the  astounding  announce 
ment  was  made  from  head-quarters  that  President  Lincoln  had 
been  assassinated  the  previous  evening  in  Ford's  theatre  at 
Washington,  and  that  an  attempt  on  the  life  of  Secretary  Seward 
was  made  at  about  the  same  time.  If  a  thunderbolt  from  a  clear 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  335 


sky  had  struck  in  camp,  the  event  could  not  have  been  more  un 
expected,  and  the  effect  more  terrible.  It  is  impossible  to  de 
scribe  the  effect  of  this  sad  news.  The  scene  that  followed  nev 
er  had  its  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  nation.  For  awhile  every 
one  seemed  paralyzed  with  grief  and  dread;  many  sat  in  solemn 
silence,  others  wept  like  children  at  the  death  of  a  father,  while 
others  seemed  almost  frantic  with  indignation  and  anger  against 
the  perpetrators  of  the  foul  and  distardly  deed  that  had  plunged 
millions  of  the  true  and  loyal  of  the  land  into  an  ocean  of  sorrow 
from  the  very  height  of  joy  and  triumphant  expectation. 
Through  the  day  officers  and  privates  sat  or  stood  about  in 
groups  discussing  the  awful  news,  or  reading  the  papers,  eager 
to  obtain  further  particulars  of  the  fearful  tragedy. 

At  length  the  expected  announcement  came:  "The  President 
is  dead.  He  died  at  half-past  seven  this  morning.  A  nation 
mourns  his  loss."  If  the  assassin  Booth  and  his  associates  had 
been  in  the  hands  of  the  soldiers  that  day  they  would  have  been 
literally  torn  in  pieces,  so  great  was  the  indignation  and  rage. 

No  regiment  in  the  service  mourned  more  sincerely  the  death 
of  the  President  than  the  Eighteenth.  Almost  to  a  man  they 
had  voted  for  him  the  second  time,  and  they  loved  him  as  the 
saviour  of  their  nation,  and  the  father  of  universal  freedom  in 
their  country.  There  was  hardly  a  man  of  them  but  who  would 
have  died  to  have  saved  his  life  to  the  country.  But  a  myste 
rious  providence  had  ordered  otherwise.  It  was  the  saddest 
day  of  the  war.  Profound  sorrow  prevailed  throughout  the 
north  and  west,  and  the  people  trembled  with  fear  at  events 
which  came  so  suddenly  upon  them. 

April  1 6th.  Sabbath.  The  chaplain  preached  a  sermon  at 
eleven  A.  M.  Subject:  "Confidence  in  God  in  times  of  public 
distress,"  in  which  frequent  allusions  were  made  to  the  great  na 
tional  calamity.  Unusual  seriousness  was  manifested  during  the 
services. 

On  April  i9th,  the  day  of  the  funeral  of  President  Lincoln,  all 


336  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


business  and  drilling  was  suspended,  minute  guns  were  fired, 
houses  of  citizens  were  draped  in  mourning,  and  flags  were  dis 
played  at  half  mast.  The  citizens  almost  universally  participat 
ed  in  the  mourning,  displaying  many  tokens  of  grief;  among 
others  burying  a  coffin  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  There 
were  a  few  Rebellious  spirits  who  did  not  hesitate  to  express 
their  satisfaction  at  the  death  of  the  President,  both  at  the  time 
of  the  first  news  concerning  it,  and  on  the  day  of  his  burial. 
But  they  were  made  to  understand  if  they  did  not  keep  quiet 
they  would  be  dealt  with  in  a  severe  and  summary  manner.  At 
one  or  two  places  in  Martinsburg  there  was  a  slight  disturbance, 
but  it  was  soon  suppressed.  Some  of  the  loyal  citizens  declared 
they  would  shoot  the  first  man  who  openly  rejoiced  that  the 
President  had  been  shot.  It  was  quite  evident  that  it  would 
not  have  been  safe  for  any -Secessionist  to  have  shown  his  colors 
that  day  in  Martinsburg,  while  in  many  Northern  towns  and 
cities  the  rebel  sympathizers  did  not  hesitate  to  denounce  the 
nation's  martyr,  and  in  some  instances  raised  the  rebel  "rag," 
while  citizens  of  Martinsburg  were  ready  to  shoot  down  the  first 
man  who  should  attempt  such  an  insult.  But  it  was  a  day  of 
great  and  general  sorrow  when  Abraham  Lincoln  was  carried  to 
his  grave  in  the  State  of  Illinois. 

The  last  half  of  the  month  of  April  was  full  of  interesting  in 
cidents.  A  complete  statement  of  the  Washington  tragedy,  and 
the  capture  of  Booth,  the  principal  actor,  and  the  surrender  of 
Lee's  army,  continued  to  excite  great  interest.  There  seemed 
to  be  a  general  breaking  up  and  dispersing  of  the  rebel  forces. 
Rossar  and  Imboden,  noted  cavalry  chiefs  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley,  surrendered  to  Gen.  Hancock  at  Winchester.  Quite  a 
number  from  Lee's  army  came  in  at  the  Eighteenth  picket- 
posts,  and  also  a  lieutenant  of  Moseby's  command.  They  were 
very  civil  and  seemed  to  rejoice  that  the  war  was  over  and  they 
were  going  home. 

The  news  of  Johnson's  surrender  was  received  with  acclama- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  337 


tions  of  joy.  The  Southern  Confederacy  seemed  to  be  crumb 
ling  fast,  and  none  appeared  to  regret  it,  but  rather  rejoiced  in 
its  downfall,  and  were  exceedingly  anxious  to  bid  it  "good-by"  as 
soon  as  possible. 

Capt.  Charles  D.  Bovven  was  reported  this  month  as  in  com 
mand  of  Company  H,  and  it  is  needless  to  say  this  was  very 
pleasing  to  his  company,  and  to  the  whole  regiment. 

Lieut.  Scranton,  of  Company  K,  was  reported  on  duty  with 
the  regiment. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  Carpenter,  Company  B,  and  others,  came  to  the 
regiment  at  the  very  last  of  the  month,  and  all  received  a  cordial 
welcome  to  their  respective  posts  of  duty. 

First  Lieut.  D.  W.  Hakes,  regimental  quartermaster,  also  re 
turned,  but  was  reported  as  honorably  discharged  for  another 
post  of  duty. 

First  Lieut.  A.  H.  Lindsay  was  discharged  for  disability.  His 
long  imprisonment  had  destroyed  his  health  and  rendered  him 
unfit  for  duty.  His  retirement  was  a  source  of  deep  regret,  both 
to  himself  and  Company  A,  of  which  he  was  an  honorable  and 
worthy  officer. 


338  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


THE    CLOSING    SCENES DEPARTURE    FOR    HOME. 


The  surrender  of  Lee  and  Johnson  wrought  a  marvelous 
change  in  the  general  aspect  of  things  in  and  around  Martins- 
burg,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  and  by  the  last  of  April  there  seemed 
to  be  a  general  breaking  up  of  the  Rebellion. 

Confederate  soldiers  were  coming  in  every  day  and  delivering 
themselves  up  to  the  proper  authorities,  or  returning  to  their 
homes  in  a  quiet  and  unobtrusive  manner.  They  began  to  find 
that  the  Rebellion  was  stamped  out,  and  they  were  willing  to 
own  it.  But  occasionally  one  and  another  would  show  a  Rebel 
lious  spirit,  soon  recognizing,  however,  that  silence  was  the  bet 
ter  part  of  valor. 

The  constant  change  of  Union  troops,  the  collecting  of  war 
materials  and  the  disposition  of  the  same,  made  the  times  rather 
lively  just  then. 

Orders  had  been  issued  at  Washington  to  reduce  the  army 
immediately,  or  as  soon  as  practicable,  and  it  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  Eighteenth  began  to  look  for  their  discharge  and  return 
to  Connecticut,  Other  regiments  were  ordered  away,  and  troops 
were  passing  through  Martinsburg,  it  was  said  for  a  final  dis 
charge. 

On  the  first  day  of  May  the  rumor  was  current  that  the  Eight 
eenth  would  be  ordered  home  that  week,  and  there  was  great 
excitement  over  the  prospect.  It  was  expected  that  the  regi- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  339 


ment  would  be  ordered  to  Washington,  and  the  probability  pro 
duced  a  lively  discussion  among  the  soldiers. 

"Madam  Rumor"  came  into  camp  every  day  to  tell  of  some 
new  thing  she  had  heard,  and  but  for  this  the  times  would  have 
been  dull  indeed.  Company  drill  had  become  a  nuisance,  and  it 
was  evident  that  every  time  the  companies  went  out  for  this 
duty  they  were  inspired  with  no  intention  to  over  exert  them 
selves.  There  was  a  general  disposition  to  take  things  easy,  and 
as  the  weather  grew  warm  and  pleasant  the  officers  would  amuse 
themselves  by  riding  out  into  the  country,  and  occasionally  call 
on  the  "natives"  to  discuss  refreshments  and  probable  results  of 
the  war,  and  the  times  generally. 

The  first  Sabbath  in  May  the  Rev.  Mr.  Redlan  preached  in 
the  chapel  tent  and  was  present  also  at  dress-parade  at  five  P. 
M.,  as  was  also  Rev.  Mr.  Tilton,  and  a  large  number  of  citizens 
from  town.  It  was  an  unusually  interesting  occasion.  It  was 
evident  the  regiment  was  not  losing  its  interest  and  pride  in 
dress-parades,  but  on  the  other  hand  every  officer  and  private 
seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  attention  and  promptness  in  all 
their  movements. 

What  added  very  much  to  the  interest  of  these  occasions  was 
the  music  furnished  by  the  new  band,  under  the  leadership  of 
Drum  Maj.  Alfred  Pray.  This  was  a  fine  acquisition.  The  instru 
ments  were  furnished  by  a  subscription  among  the  officers  and 
others  favorable  to  the  enterprise,  and  the  members  of  the  band 
gave  special  attention  to  their  duties  from  the  first,  winning  enco 
miums  from  all  for  their  excellent  music  at  various  times.  At 
dress-parade,  May  yth,  the  band  came  out  in  full  dress  for  the 
first  time,  and  made  quite  a  sensation  by  their  neat  appearance, 
good  music,  and  exact  movements.  The  regiment  felt  justly 
proud  of  them.  Their  uniforms  were  made  in  Baltimore,  and 
were  very  becoming. 

Capt.  Mathewson,  Company  K,  Capt.  Woodward,  Company  F., 
and  Lieut.  Loomis,  Company  H,  who  had  returned  from  their 


34o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


prison  life  two  days  previous,  were  present  on  duty  with  others 
who  had  lately  returned  to  the  regiment.  The  regiment  seemed 
to  be  improving  in  appearance  as  to  numbers  and  drill  everyday. 

At  this  juncture  of  affairs  there  were  some  changes  made  that 
were  not  so  favorable  for  this  purpose.  Capt.  Woodward  was 
ordered  on  duty  as  provost  marshal  in  town,  and  Capt.  Kibbe 
and  Lieut.  Bixby,  with  their  respective  companies,  were  sent  to 
Hagerstown  to  pick  up  old  army  saddles,  and  other  property 
belonging  to  Uncle  Sam,  which  were  found  stored  away  in  barns 
and  dwelling  houses  in  that  vicinity.  Capt.  Mathewson  was  sent 
up  the  road,  and  Company  A,  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Kerr,  down  the  road  towards  Harper's  Ferry  to  guard  the 
bridges  and  the  railroad. 

Companies  B  and  D  arrived  at  Hagerstown  on  May  loth. 
The  first  night  they  spent  in  the  court  house,  and  the  next  day 
went  into  camp  a  short  distance  from  the  town.  In  a~few  days 
comfortable  quarters  were  secured  in  tents  and  log  huts.  For 
the  latter  some  logs  were  found  already  for  use,  which  saved  not 
a  little  time  in  completing  the  arrangements  for  setting  up  house 
keeping  again.  These  companies  were  much  pleased  with  their 
location  and  accommodations.  One  or  both  of  them  had  been  on 
duty  in  this  place  before,  and  had  become  acquainted  with  some 
of  the  loyal  citizens  of  the  place  and  secured  their  good  will,  hence 
it  seemed  like  being  at  home,  the  people  were  so  friendly.  As 
before  intimated,  the  object  of  their  presence  at  Hagerstown  was 
to  look  after  government  property,  and  collect  all  they  could  find 
scattered  among  the  citizens  in  the  shape  of  saddles,  muskets,  sa 
bres  and  the  like.  The  search  for  these  was  somewhat  success 
ful,  and  often  quite  exciting  and  amusing.  The  result  of  the  first 
day's  work  in  the  town  produced  fifteen  muskets,  twenty-five  sad 
dles,  ten  carbines,  twelve  sabres,  three  Spencer  rifles,  and  some 
minor  articles. 

Another  raid  the  next  day  on  F^unkstown  resulted  in  securing 
ten  muskets,  two  saddles,  and  one  carbine;  and  on  the  same  day, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEER'S.          341 


in  the  direction  of  Sharpsburg,  the  men  obtained  two  muskets, 
three  sabres,  and  a  good  dinner  and  supper  in  an  old  farm  house. 
The  dinner  and  supper  were  the  great  captures  of  that  day,  over 
which  the  raiders  had  a  fine  time  generally. 

The  great  event  of  the  month  of  May  was  a  large  wedding  in 
the  Southern  Church  among  the  "upper  ten"  of  the  place. 

On  May  22d  and  23d  detachments  were  sent  out  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Lightersburg  and  Greencastle,  Pa.,  and  returned  with  a 
few  old  saddles,  muskets  and  one  horse. 

Most  of  these  expeditions  were  generally  attended  by  an  ar 
my  wagon  to  carry  away  the  captures  of  the  day. 

May  25th.  The  regimental  band  from  Martinsburg  arrived, 
creating  quite  a  sensation.  They  remained  two  nights.  In  the 
meantime  they  serenaded  the  citizens  of  Hagerstown,  much  to 
their  apparent  delight,  on  two  evenings  until  a  late  hour.  The 
visit  was  a  mutual  pleasure,  and  when  the  musicians  started  on 
their  return  trip  they  were  most  vociferously  cheered  by  the  men, 
who  thanked  them  again  and  again  for  their  excellent  entertain 
ments. 

The  same  day  another  expedition  went  off  in  the  direction  of 
Cavetown  and  Simsbury,  ten  miles  away,  and  was  quite  success 
ful  in  picking  up  old  muskets  and  trumpery  belonging  to  Uncle 
Sam.  A  visit  was  also  made  to  a  celebrated  cave  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  former  place,  consisting  of  two  apartments  capable  of  hold 
ing  one  thousand  men  each,  and  connected  by  small  passages. 
This  place  was  considered  a  great  natural  curiosity,  and  worth 
the  pains  to  visit  it. 

June  4th.  Both  companies  went  in  a  body  to  attend  the  fu 
neral  of  Col.  Israel  Nesbitt,  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  town;  the 
services  being  held  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  largely  at 
tended. 

June  6th.  The  chaplain  and  Surgeon  Holbrook  arrived  from 
Martinsburg  on  a  visit.  The  latter  returned  the  next  day. 
The  chaplain  remained  through  the  week,  and  on  the  Sabbath 


342  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

following  preached  in  the  Lutheran  Church  to  citizens  and  sol 
diers.  A  few  days  subsequently,  Col.  Peale  and  Quartermaster 
Johnson  arrived,  and  remained  a  day  or  two.  The  colonel  told 
the  men  they  were  soon  to  be  mustered  out  of  the  service,  which 
was  good  news  indeed.  The  stay  at  Hagerstown  was  getting  to 
be  monotonous,  and  the  duty  irksome.  There  was  but  little  go 
ing  on  to  relieve  the  tedium  after  the  raidings  ceased;  some 
camp  sports,  such  as  playing  ball,  tossing  the  blanket,  pitching 
quoits,  going  down  town  to  the  big  spring  to  call  on  citizens,  who 
in  return  visited  the  camp  and  brought  "goodies"  with  them  for 
general  entertainment,  and  the  like,  completing  the  programme 
of  exercises.  Many  of  the  men  have  very  pleasing  recollections 
of  "Old  Mother  Kennedy's  cakes,  gingerbread  and  cherries,  and 
the  kindness  of  other  citizens  of  the  place,  and  would  have  it  that 
the  Hagerstown  people  were  among  the  very  best  they  had  found 
in  any  place  they  had  visited  in  the  South. 

When  not  visiting  in  town  the  men  managed  to  keep  up  their 
spirits  by  means  of  the  sports  already  mentioned,  and  in  getting 
up  an  occasional  row  in  camp  for  variety,  merely  to  show  that 
some  things  could  be  done  as  well  as  others.  This  latter  sport, 
however,  was  not  relished  very  well  by  officers  Kibbe  and  Bixby, 
and  some  of  the  "irregulars"  were  sent  away  to  Martinsburg. 
Officers  Carpenter  and  Francis  attended  to  the  drilling  and  in 
spection  of  the  companies  at  various  times,  and  a  show  of  order, 
at  least,  was  kept  up.  There  did  not  seem  to  be  so  much  neces 
sity  for  strict  military  discipline,  and  when  the  lines  were  drawn 
there  was  more  restiveness  and  complaint  than  would  have  been 
under  other  circumstances. 

There  was  quite  an  excitement  in  camp  on  one  occasion  over  a 
paroled  rebel,  who  was  brought  in  by  the  officers  for  protection, 
but  the  men  made  such  a  noise  about  it  that  the  rebel  was  hur 
ried  away  in  fear  of  his  life.  No  rebel  could  be  tolerated  by  the 
men  of  the  Eighteenth  anywhere. 

The  1 8th  of  June  was  a  memorable  day.     Capt.    Bowen  and 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  343 

Lieut.  Locke  arrived  in  camp,  and  at  five  P.  M.  an  order  was 
read  to  be  ready  to  march  at  four  o'clock  the  next  morning. 
This  order  produced  great  excitement.  It  had  been  anxiously 
awaited  for  many  weeks.  The  men  began  to  grow  impatient  to 
be  on  the  way  home,  and  this  order  was  all  the  more  welcome, 
as  it  was  equivalent  to  an  order  to  go  home  in  a  few  days. 

The  next  morning  both  companies  were  early  on  the  march  for 
Martinsburg,  where  they  arrived  about  six  P.  M.  quite  exhausted 
after  the  heat  and  fatigue  of  the  day.  Not  any  strict  discipline 
was  enforced  on  the  march,  nor  was  it  necessary.  The  men  were 
properly  allowed  to  make  the  distance  with  as  little  fatigue  as 
possible.  Nevertheless  the  men  were  more  than  glad  when 
they  arrived  at  the  regimental  head-quarters,  amid  the  hearty 
greetings  or  salutations  of  their  comrades. 

Company  A  had  a  pleasant  position  on  the  "Opequon,"  guard 
ing  a  bridge. 

Much  to  the  disappointment  of  the  whole  company  Capt. 
Davis  did  not  return  after  his  release  from  rebel  prisons,  owing 
to  poor  health.  He  was  honorably  discharged  on  April  I7th, 
about  a  month  after  his  return  from  the  South.  The  company 
always  entertained  a  high  regard  for  him  as  a  gentleman  and  a 
soldier,  and  sincerely  regretted  his  inability  to  retura  to  duty. 

This  company,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Kerr,  maintained 
its  reputation  well  for  discipline  and  efficiency,  and  occupied  an 
important  position  all  the  time  it  was  in  the  service.  Although 
the  war  was  virtually  closed  on  the  ist  of  May,  still  the  whole 
regiment  was  usefully  employed  in  guarding  and  protecting  the 
public  interests. 

By  the  ist  of  June  they  were  the  only  troops  at  Martinsburg, 
and  Col.  Peale  was  in  command  of  the  post.  The  six  companies 
at  head-quarters  were  kept  hard  at  work  in  collecting  and  guard 
ing  public  property,  maintaining  excellent,  order  and  discipline, 
and  were  highly  complimented,  both  by  post  commanders  and 
the  citizens  generally,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  duty. 


344  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Inducements  were  held  out  to  many  of  the  men  to  remain  in, 
or  to  return  to  Martinsburg  and  vicinity,  and  become  permanent 
citizens  after  their  discharge,  and  the  remark  was  often  made: 
"We  want  heaps  of  you  Yankees  to  come  down  here  and  help  us 
after  the  war." 

The  last  month  the  Eighteenth  remained  in  the  service  at 
Martinsburg  was  spent  in  pleasant  intercourse  with  the  loyal  cit 
izens  in  that  town  and  vicinity.  Many  of  the  men  had  found  ex 
cellent  places  for  foraging,  and  hardly  ever  returned  empty 
handed  after  a  half  day's  tramp  into  the  country.  Farmer 
Thatcher's  was  an  excellent  place,  some  three  miles  away,  for 
hungry  soldiers,  and  the  old  "hard  shell  Baptist,"  two  miles  south 
of  Martinsburg,  was  a  good  place  to  go  for  the  "doctrines,"  but 
it  was  the  general  opinion  that  he  was  an  old  rebel  when  it  was 
for  his  interest  to  be. 

The  big  spring  on  the  road  to  Winchester  was  a  favorite  place 
of  resort,  and  the  Baptist  spring,  a  mile  to  the  southeast,  was 
often  visited  and  canteens  of  water  transported  from  that  place 
to  the  camp.  Some  of  the  men  were  delighted  to  find  places  of 
pleasant  resort,  and  then  invite  the  officers  to  go  with  them  on 
their  favorite  expeditions;  of  course  the  leader  of  these  explor 
ing  expeditions  was  furnished  with  a  horse,  and  rode  with  the 
fleetest  of  the  company. 

"Tom,"  of  Company  H,  led  his  too  willing  followers  into  the 
fat  places  of  the  land,  while  "Father  Boyden,"  of  the  same  com 
pany,  and  "Bill,"  of  Company  K,  and  "John"  and  "David/'  of 
Company  B,  and  others  equally  well  disposed,  stood  ready  to 
lend  a  helping  hand  in  anything  that  was  good  and  entertaining. 

The  country  was  beginning  to  look  beautiful,  and  on  pleasant 
days  the  raiding  parties  went  out  in  all  directions,  gathering 
flowers,  picking  strawberries  and  cherries  in  their  season,  and 
having  fine  times  generally.  These  pleasant  trips  furnished  op 
portunities  for  some  of  the  officers'  wives  to  become  experts  in 
the  art  of  fine  horsemanship.  Among  these  ladies  were  Mrs. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  345 

Capt.  Bowen  and  Mrs.  Surgeon  Holbrook,  and  those  officers  who 
had  no  "better  halves"  to  conduct  showed  their  gallantry  either 
in  inviting  citizen-ladies  to  accompany  them,  or  rendered  them 
selves  useful  in  polite  attentions  to  the  whole  company,  or  rode 
a  little  in  the  rear  to  see  the  fun.  It  was  observed  that  whenev 
er  Capt.  B.  rode,  his  companion's  horse  was  very  restive,  and 
subject  to  sudden  fits  of  starting,  and  sometimes  there  was  real 
danger  of  a  runaway.  At  one  time  the  surgeon  had  his  lady 
dismount,  and  the  saddle  was  removed  and  examined  to  ascer 
tain  where  it  chafed  or  hurt  the  poor  animal.  "Yes,  doctor, 
something  must  be  the  matter  with  this  saddle,"  was  the  joking 
remark  among  the  boys.  But  the  search  was  in  vain  for  the 
cause  of  the  trouble,  until  it  was  observed  that  Capt.  B.  had  a 
mischievously  sly  way  of  doing  some  things  as  well  as  others. 
"Wasn't  he  a  scamp,"  said  one,  "to  conceal  his  riding  whip  in  his 
sleeve,  and  then  come  along  side  looking  sober  and  honest,  while 
he  plied  the  animal  with  his  concealed  tormentor,  and  then  too 
he  was  seemingly  so  alarmed  to  see  the  smarting  beast  almost 
runaway;  I  never  saw  such  a  hector."  Of  course  some  of  the 
party  did  see  the  point,  and  even  the  grave  and  dignified  sur 
geon  had  to  join  in  the  laugh  once  in  a  while,  while  the  chaplain, 
on  account  of  his  profession,  was  excused  entirely  from  the  duty 
of  manufacturing  pleasantry  for  the  occasion,  or  of  showing  any 
demonstrations  of  special  interest  in  the  same. 

A  ride  in  the  direction  of  the  mountains  at  this  season  was 
exceedingly  pleasant.  Stopping  one  day  at  a  farm-house  and 
calling  for  water,  the  company  was  invited  into  the  "spring 
house,"  where  there  was  not  only  an  abundance  of  the  best  water, 
but  a  large  quantity  of  milk  in  earthen  jars,  which  were  standing 
in  the  spring  to  be  kept  cool  and  for  the  cream  to  rise.  There 
fore  instead  of  water,  the  company  was  invited  to  help  them 
selves  to  all  the  milk  they  could  drink,  which  all  were  quite 
willing  to  do. 

The  fact  that  the  farmers  in  the  vicinity  of  Martinsburg  were 

44 


346  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


hospitable  and  cordial  rendered  such  excursions  agreeable  as  well 
as  profitable.  Some  of  these  persons  had  very  sad  stories  to  tell 
of  their  losses  and  privations  during  the  war.  At  first  many 
of  the  citizens  sympathized  with  their  State,  and  sent  or  al 
lowed  their  sons  to  enlist  in  the  rebel  army;  but  after  the  second 
year  of  the  war,  finding  they  had  espoused  a  lost  cause,  they  en 
deavored  to  prevent  the  rest  of  their  sons  from  entering  the 
rebel  army. 

These  pleasure  seekers  of  the  Eighteenth  were  often  entertained 
with  thrilling  accounts  of  the  narrow  escapes  which  some  had 
experienced  in  their  efforts  to  elude  the  rebel  conscriptors.  They 
had  places  of  concealment  in  barns  or  in  the  mountains,  to  which 
they  would  resort  whenever  the  rebels  made  their  appearance  in 
the  valley,  and  it  was  amusing  to  hear  them  relate  their  adventures 
and  narrow  escapes. 

Farmer  Thatcher,  living  at  the  base  of  the  mountain,  took  con 
siderable  pride  in  describing  to  his  visitors  the  wonders  of  his 
mowing  machine.  The  war  had  done  him  some  good,  he  thought, 
for  it  had  made  him  acquainted  with  one  Yankee  invention  which 
saved  the  labor  of  seven  men.  At  the  time  referred  to  he  had 
just  come  from  his  field  to  see  who  had  come — it  was  the  first  or 
second  day  of  his  trial  with  the  new  machine.  He  had  paid  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  it,  but  he  said  it  would  soon  pay  for 
itself  in  labor  saving.  He  felt  so  elated  at  his  success  he  could 
not  talk  about  .anything  else.  After  a  good  dinner  his  Yankee 
visitors  left  him  with  a  promise  to  call  again  at  his  urgent  request. 
And  they  did. 

While  the  main  body  of  the  regiment  was  doing  service  in 
Martinsburg,  Company  K  was,  as  before  stated,  doing  duty  among 
the  natives  of  Sleepy  Creek  and  Back  Creek,  on  the  B.  &  O.  R.  R. 
The  duty  was  very  light  and  the  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity  were 
kind  and  well  disposed.  The  boys  used  to  go  back  two  or  three 
miles  into  the  mountains  on  friendly  visitations  to  the  people,  and 
were  treated  to  the  best  the  house  could  afford.  The  inhabitants 
generally  were  very  loyal. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  347 


On  the  day  of  President  Lincoln's  funeral,  most  of  the  company 
at  Sleepy  Creek  went  back  into  the  country  to  hear  a  Methodist 
minister  preach  the  President's  funeral  sermon.  Although  the 
population  was  quite  sparse  in  that  region,  still  a  good  congrega 
tion  was  present,  of  all  ages,  who  listened  with  deep  interest  to 
the  patriotic  utterances  of  the  Methodist  veteran.  In  all  the  land 
perhaps  there  was  not  a  more  loyal  spirit  manifested  than  on  this 
occasion. 

The  whole  plot  of  the  Rebellion,  from  the  beginning  to  end,  was 
severely  denounced,  as  well  as  the  leading  conspirators,  especially 
the  murderers  of  the  President,  while  the  cause  of  the  Union  was 
most  earnestly  defended  and  justified,  and  an  eloquent  eulogy 
was  pronounced  upon  the  character  of  the  noble  band  of  martyrs 
who  had  been  slain  for  their  country,  among  whom  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  chief. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  this  sermon  gave  the  members  of 
Company  K  great  satisfaction,  and  they  returned  to  camp  loud 
in  their  praises  of  the  old  patriotic  Methodist,  who  had  done  such 
ample  justice  to  his  subject.  They  did  not  believe  a  better  ser 
mon  had  been  preached  anywhere  that  day,  and  wished  more 
Northern  men  could  have  heard  it. 

Among  the  pastimes  of  Company  K  were  the  "flag  raisings" 
among  the  patriotic  mountaineers.  These  were  quite  frequent 
after  the  fall  of  Richmond  and  the  surrender  of  Lee  and  Johnson. 
Flag  poles  were  raised  in  many  places,  and  frequently  the  Eight 
eenth  Connecticut  boys  were  invited  to  assist.  These  invitations 
were  accepted  with  the  greatest  interest  and  enthusiasm,  and 
sometimes  one  or  more  of  their  number  would  be  called  upon  for 
a  speech.  Among  the  foremost  who  used  to  astonish  the  natives 
with  his  Yankee  eloquence  was  "Jim  Taylor."  Now  Jim  was  a 
queer  genius,  always  full  of  oratory,  and  he  would  often  get  off  a 
very  good  and  appropriate  speech.  He  was  the  same  Jim  that 
used  to  fire  off  patriotic  speeches  at  the  visitors  to  Camp  Aiken, 
at  Norwich,  while  the  regiment  was  getting  ready  for  its  three 


348  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


years'  trip  down  South  to  "hang  Jeff.  Davis  to  a  sour  apple  tree/' 
He  had  rather  improved  by  practice,  and  it  was  thought  by  some 
that  he  could  "spout"  about  as  well  as  he  could  fight.  It  is  certain 
he  was  considered  quite  a  prodigy  by  the  mountaineers,  and  was 
often  invited  to  address  them  at  "flag  raisings,"  amid  the  most  up 
roarious  enthusiasm.  After  their  return  to  Martinsburg,  Jim  was 
sent  for  once  or  twice  by  his  mountain  friends  to  address  them 
on  other  patriotic  occasions. 

While  at  Sleepy  Creek,  Capt.  Mathewson  was  very  sick,  and 
Surgeon  Holbrook  was  sent  to  his  assistance,  who  after  spending 
a  few  days  with  him  brought  the  captain  to  the  hospital  at  head 
quarters.  He  did  not  return  to  Sleepy  Creek.  Lieut.  Caruthers 
was  ordered  there  on  duty  for  a  short  time. 

On  the  first  day  of  June  quite  an  unusual  and  interesting  event 
occurred,  which  produced  considerable  merriment  among  the  boys, 
especially  in  Company  E.  The  fact  was  Orderly  Sergeant  An 
thony  Staubly,  in  some  of  his  visits  about  Martinsburg,  had  cap 
tured  a  prize,  a  Miss  Jennie  Schelkey,  and  the  question  soon 
arose  as  to  what  disposition  should  be  made  of  this  fair  acquaint 
ance  as  spoils  of  war.  After  much  consultation  and  talk  it  was 
finally  agreed  that  Jennie  should  go  home  with  the  Eighteenth 
Connecticut  under  the  special  command  of  Orderly  Staubly,  with 
the  understanding  that  Miss  Schelkey  should  become  Mrs.  Staubly, 
an  arrangement  the  German  lady  was  quite  willing  to  give  her 
consent  to.  Hence  on  the  evening  of  the  first  day  of  June,  (the 
month  of  roses,)  there  was  a  wedding  in  the  east  part  of  the  town, 
in  a  very  neat  looking  cottage  occupied  by  the  bride's  parents, 
who  seemed  to  be  in  pleasant  circumstances,  and  quite  well 
pleased  with  the  contemplated  change. 

A  large  number  of  the  officers  of  the  regiment  were  present, 
and  several  members  of  Company  E.  Among  the  number  was 
the  chaplain,  who  had  the  pleasure  of  showing  how  the  North 
and  the  South  could  be  united  in  the  bonds  of  peace,  and  a  per 
manent  union  secured  between  the  two  sections.  Anthony  and 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  349 


Jennie  were  married  in  the  presence  of  a  house  full  of  citizens 
and  soldiers,  all  of  whom  seemed  to  enjoy  the  occasion  extremely 
well.  Then  followed  an  entertainment  after  the  good  old  fash 
ioned  German  style;  wine  and  beer,  cake  and  fruit  were  passed 
around  in  great  profusion,  and  until  a  late  hour  there  was  music 
and  dancing. 

The  invited  guests  returned  to  camp  very  much  gratified  with 
the  evening's  entertainment.  All  agreed  in  the  opinion  that  Or 
derly  Staubly  had  captured  a  splendid  prize,  and  the  uninitiated 
were  recommended  to  "go  and  do  likewise."  Indeed  the  chap 
lain  remarked  before  leaving  the  wedding  party  that 

"The  problem  is  solved;  we've  learned  how  to  carry- 
All  sections  for  the  Union — it  is  to  intermarry; 
To  mix  well  the  blood  of  the  Johnnies  and  Yanks, 
As  the  most  likely  way  to  cure  rebel  pranks." 

He  then  added  the  following  impressive  exhortation: 

"O  come  boys  and  girls  of  the  South  and  the  North, 

Haste  to  Hymen's  altar,  and  then  go  forth, 
Being  firmly  united  in  marriage  communion, 
And  forever  will  banish  the  idea  of  disunion." 

This  exhortation  was  quite  appreciated,  as  Lieut.  Caruthers 
and  several  others  of  the  regiment  testified  to  a  few  years  later. 

The  Christian  Commission  removed  from  Martinsburg  the  first 
week  in  June,  as  there  were  but  a  few  soldiers  remaining,  and 
hence  but  little  necessity  for  the  continuance  of  its  benevolent 
ministries.  The  members  of  the  regiment,  however,  parted  with 
the  friends  of  this  cause  with  much  reluctance. 

The  agents  of  the  commission  generally  had  proved  true  and 
reliable  friends  and  helpers  in  time  of  need.  First  and  last  the 
regiment  had  received  a  thousand  acts  of  kindness — reading  mat 
ter  in  great  variety  and  abundance  had  been  furnished  without 
remuneration,  and  all  kinds  of  hospital  stores,  medicines,  fruits, 
stimulants,  hosiery  of  all  kinds,  and  other  wearing  apparel  for  the 
comfort  of  the  sick  and  the  wounded,  and  writing  material  of 


350  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


every  description.  The  Christian  Commission  was  the  "Good 
Samaritan'  in  the  army,  performing  its  compassionate  mission 
with  the  utmost  tenderness  and  fidelity. 

No  regiment  in  the  service  cherished  more  grateful  recollec 
tions  of  the  Christian  Commission  than  the  Eighteenth.  Hence 
it  was  with  a  feeling  of  affectionate  sadness  they  saw  the  agents 
of  this  great  institution  remove  their  effects  from  Martinsburg. 

The  canvas  roof  which  belonged  to  the  commission  was  re 
moved  from  the  chapel  tent,  and  this  created  the  necessity  for 
breaking  up  public  service  in  camp  on  the  Sabbath,  and  for  dis 
tributing  the  regimental  library  to  those  who  desired  to  preserve 
a  copy  of  the  books  as  a  relic  of  army  life. 

The  chapel,  with  its 'reading  and  writing  arrangements,  and  its 
Sabbath  and  evening  religious  services,  and  singing  schools,  had 
been  of  great  service  to  the  regiment.  Those  who  appreciated 
their  privileges  bade  farewell  to  them  with  many  tender  memo 
ries,  and  at  this  distance  are  prepared  to  say,  with  reference  to  the 
pleasant  times  in  the  old  "log  chapel:" 

"Those  were  happy  golden  days 
Sweetly  spent  in  prayer  and  praise." 

Religious  services  often  appeared  more  refreshing  and  joyful 
than  under  more  favorable  circumstances  at  home. 

June  5th.  A  detail  was  made  to  bury  a  soldier  of  Sheridan's 
army,  a  part  of  which  passed  through  Martinsburg  about  this 
time  for  their  homes  in  the  west.  As  one  of  the  trains  was  start 
ing  from  the  depot,  this  poor  fellow  by  some  means  had  been 
run  over  and  killed  outright.  It  was  an  affecting  scene.  He  was 
the  only  son  of  a  widow.  It  was  a  sad  duty  indeed  for  the  chap 
lain  of  the  Eighteenth,  with  his  men,  to  perform  the  funeral  rites. 
How  many  soldiers'  graves  there  were  near  the  spot  where  this 
strange  soldier  was  laid  to  rest.  On  his  way  home,  full  of  hope 
and  expectation,  but  in  an  hour  when  he  thought  not  the  voice 
of  the  great  commander  called  him  away  to  receive  his  final 
orders. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  351 


The  corral  was  an  enclosure  on  the  southeast  side  of  the  town, 
where  were  collected  army  horses,  and  all  sorts  of  war  material  con 
nected  with  the  trains,  in  which  had  been  collected  a  motley  mass 
of  material  which  was  finally  disposed  of  by  the  agents  of  the 
government  at  auction.  This  property  was  guarded  by  a  daily 
detail  of  men  from  the  regiment,  and  on  the  whole  the  duty  was 
quite  an  annoyance.  The  old  broken  down  horses  and  dilapi 
dated  wagons  and  ambulances  were  hardly  worth  the  pains  taken 
to  protect  and  save  them  for  "Uncle  Sam,"  and  hence  it  was  a 
great  relief  when  the  whole  batch  of  mules,  and  trumpery  gener 
ally,  was  sold  off  to  the  highest  bidder.  ''Let  'em  slide,"  said  the 
boys,  "we  are  going  home  to  the  tune  of  Yankee  Doodle,  in  a 
few  days;  we've  seen  enough  of  old  horses,  and  dumb-founded 
mules  and  jackasses."  There  was  one  mule,  however,  in  which  the 
whole  regiment  felt  quite  an  interest,  the  one  that  Jim.  Lafferty 
rode  on  the  raid;  "the  old  patriarch,"  as  he  was  called,  being  quite 
white  of  old  age.  But  he  was  gone,  and,  alas  for  poor  Jim,  he 
has  gone  too!  But  if  Jim  had  had  no  worse  enemy  than  the  old 
patriarch  he  might  not  have  gone  so  soon.  Peace  to  his  ashes. 

The  old  jail  was  another  noted  place  which  the  boys  had  to 
guard  at  different  times,  and  if  none  of  their  own  number  were 
ever  guarded  here  the  regiment  was  remarkably  fortunate.  At 
all  events  it  has  its  memories  and  incidents  of  considerable  inter 
est.  Guard  duty  ceased  here  about  the  2oth,  as  all  the  prisoners 
had  been  released. 

June  1 8th.  Attended  religious  service  in  town,  as  the  chapel 
was  in  ruins,  as  before  stated.  Had  a  short  speech  and  prayer 
at  dress-parade  by  the  chaplain. 

June  23d.  Had  dress-parade  down  town  in  front  of  head-quar 
ters.  Considerable  indignation  was  felt  by  the  boys  at  the  ap 
pearance  of  "Old  Faulkner,"  as  he  was  called,  among  the  officers 
on  the  portico.  But  the  old  traitor  himself  seemed  "to  enjoy 
it,  and  this  was  what  was  the  matter  with  the  men.  It  did  not 
look  enough  like  making  treason  odious.  However,  they  had 


352  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


had  a  little  revenge  on  the  old  fellow  by  cutting  down  his  beautiful 
grove  that  he  thought  so  much  of. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  war  Faulkner  was  one  of  "Uncle 
Sam's"  foreign  ministers,  but  he  came  home  and  espoused  the 
cause  of  the  Rebellion,  and  the  boys  could  not  forgive  him.  His 
will  was  good  enough  at  one  time  to  have  destroyed  the  Union. 
He  did  what  he  could  to  effect  it,  and  Union  soldiers  thoroughly 
hated  him. 

Many  tender  and  stirring  events  were  crowded  into  the  last 
week  of  the  Eighteenth's  stay  in  Marti nsburg.  For  ten  days  or 
more  it  was  generally  known  in  the  regiment  and  among  the 
citizens  that  the  "mustering  out"  was  near  at  hand.  The  com 
panies  which  had  been  doing  duty  outside  were  called  in,  and 
their  officers  were  very  busy  in  making  out  papers  for  the 
final  discharge.  These  were  received  as  early  as  the  2ist,  and 
the  next  day  (Wednesday)  Col.  Peale  told  the  boys  that  they 
were  to  leave  on  the  Monday  following.  This  news  was  received 
with  a  universal  shout  of  joy,  and  every  man  commenced  at  once 
to  make  arrangements  for  his  departure. 

For  sometime  previous  much  leisure  time  had  been  employed 
in  making  trinkets  and  fancy  articles,  such  as  finger  rings,  picture 
frames,  boxes,  and  many  other  curiosities  to  surprise  the  friends 
at  home.  These  articles  were  made  principally  of  black  walnut, 
and  showed  the  varied  ability  and  ingenuity  of  the  boys  in  the 
mechanical  arts,  and  besides  the  work  whiled  away  the  time.  Con 
siderable  time  was  spent  in  "packing  up"  for  the  final  move.  Calls 
and  farewell  visits  were  made  to  good  and  friendly  people  in  and 
around  Martinsburg. 

After  all  the  talk  and  worry  about  going  home  for  weeks  and 
months,  still  as  the  time  drew  near  for  the  departure,  there  was 
a  general  regret  in  parting  with  the  good  friends  of  the 
place.  For  nearly  two  years  these  friends  had  improved  ev 
ery  opportunity  to  show  their  appreciation  of  the  friendship 
and  services  of  the  men  who  had  left  their  quiet  homes  in  the 


CONNECTICUT   VOLUNTEERS.  353 


North  to  expose  their  health  and  lives  in  behalf  of  the  loyal  and 
true  of  the  South,  and  of  the  whole  country.  The  names  of  these 
benefactors  will  ever  be  cherished  with  interest  and  affection  by 
the  Eighteenth.  Among  the  most  prominent  of  these  were  the 
Wysongs,  the  Gardners,  the  Staleys,  theSuters,  the  Shaffers,  the 
Snyders,  the  Wilans  and  others  too  numerous  to  mention. 

The  young  ladies  of  many  families  showed  every  possible  at 
tention  to  the  sick  and  wounded  of  all  Union  soldiers  in  the  hos 
pitals,  and  the  blessing  of  many,  once  ready  to  perish,  will  always 
be  with  them.  In  some  instances  a  friendship  existed  which 
ripened  into  a  union  for  life,  and  now  many  a  once  brave  soldier 
is  rejoicing  in  the  capture  he  made  while  "away  clown  South  in 
Dixie."  It  is  not  surprising  then  that  so  many  of  the  boys  con 
templated  their  departure  from  the  scene  of  such  friendships  with 
sincere  regrets. 

Unusual  interest  was  also  taken  in  the  exchange  of  friendly 
congratulations  among  the  members  of  the  regiment  at  th«  glori 
ous  termination  of  the  war;  at  their  own  preservation  amid  its 
dangers;  the  many  hair-breadth  escapes  they  had  experienced, 
and  at  the  prospect  of  being  once  more  quiet  citizens  and  neigh 
bors  in  the  "land  of  steady  habits." 

Every  day  the  officers'  quarters,  and  every  tent  in  camp,  were 
the  scenes  of  excited  demonstrations  with  reference  to  "going 
home."  Among  others  the  chaplain's  room,  in  a  building  a  few 
rods  from  the  camp,  was  often  filled  with  the  men  singing  old 
familiar  hymns,  and  talking  over  the  wonderful  past,  and  the 
prospective  future.  Several  very  affecting  social  meetings  were 
held  in  that  room  after  the  dismantling  of  the  chapel  tent,  which 
will  never  be  forgotten.  The  chaplain  had  some  difficulty  in 
obtaining  the  room  at  first,  owing  to  the  opposition  of  some  mem 
bers  of  the  family  which  occupied  another  part  of  the  building, 
but  the  unpleasantness  soon  passed,  matters  assumed  a  very  pleas 
ant  aspect,  and  "all  was  quite  on  the  Potomac." 

The  chief  article   of   furniture  was  an  armed  chair    made    of 

45 


354  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


black  walnut  rails,  with  a  cherry-wood  seat.  This  was  the  work 
and  gift  of  Father  Boyden,  of  Company  H.  It  was  such  a  curi 
osity  and  convenience,  of  course  it  could  not  be  left  in  Virginia, 
and  hence  one  of  the  boys  took  it  in  charge  to  bring  home  to 
Connecticut,  and  after  a  year  or  two  it  found  a  place  in  the  edi 
torial  department  of  the  Soldiers'  Record.  Little  did  the  maker 
think  when  he  was  working  away  with  only  an  ax,  a  saw  and  jack- 
knife,  that  he  was  whittling  out  an  editorial  chair,  in  the  special 
interest  of  the  soldiers  of  Connecticut,  and  of  the  country  in 
general.  Stranger  things  and  more  unlikely  have  happened  and 
may  happen  again. 

Farewell  visits  also  were  made  to  various  farm  houses  where 
the  boys  had  been  so  often  entertained.  In  one  instance  a  party 
went  out  black  raspberrying  and  had  a  fine  time;  stopped  at  a  farm 
house  and  were  treated  to  bread,  milk,  honey,  butter  and  other 
good  things  in  abundance.  A  farewell  ride  was  made  by  several 
officers  to  Thatcher's  farm,  Dr.  Magruder's,  Mother  Kennedy's, 
old  "hard  shell,"  and  various  other  places  of  interest  and  profit 
to  them  at  different  times.  The  citizens,  both  in  town  and 
country,  seemed  to  regret  the  anticipated  departure  of  the  regi 
ment.  They  complimented  the  men  for  their  good  behavior,  and 
wished  them  a  safe  and  happy  journey  home. 

The  last  Sabbath  was  a  beautiful  June  day.  A  memorable  day; 
one  of  conflicting  emotions  of  joy  and  regret.  Those  not  neces 
sarily  employed  in  home  arrangements  went  into  town  to  church. 
It  was  difficult,  however,  to  keep  one's  mind  on  the  sermon  in 
thinking  over  the  changes  of  one  year  and  a  half. 

The  heavy  tramp,  tramp  of  armed  soldiers,  and  the  clatter  and 
noise  of  the  cavalry  were  no  longer  heard  in  the  streets,  and 
worship  was  not  disturbed  by  the  startling  sound  of  the  "long 
roll,"  as  in  the  winter  of  1863  and  1864.  Those  were  stirring 
times,  filling  men's  hearts  with  fear  and  dismay.  Now  all  was 
quiet  and  orderly,  no  noise  and  no  confusion.  Peace,  sweet 
peace,  was  the  blessing  and  privilege  of  the  hour,  and  both  citizens 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  355 


and  soldiers  seemed  to  appreciate  it  as  they  sat  together  that 
day  in  holy  quiet,  praying,  "Our  Father  which  art  in  Heaven," 
after  which  many  tender  farewells  were  given. 

At  five  o'clock,  dress-parade,  there  was  a  service  by  the  chaplain; 
prayer  was  offered  and  parting  counsels  and  advice  were  given. 
There  was  a  great  concourse  of  spectators  present,  and  the  scene 
was  very  solemn  and  impressive.  The  order  to  be  ready  to  move 
the  next  morning  at  five  o'clock  was  received  with  great  joy;  and 
then  the  regiment  returned  to  their  quarters  to  spend  their  last 
night  in  Martinsburg,  Va.,  as  soldiers.  No  pen  will  ever  be  able 
to  do  justice  to  the  parting  scenes  of  that  day,  and  the  mingled 
emotions  of  the  men  as  they  lay  down  to  take  their  last  sleep,  as 
they  thought,  in  camp. 

The  lights  went  out  that  night  at  "taps"  as  usual,  but  there 
kept  burning  a  brighter  light  in  the  heart  a  long  time  after,  be 
fore  the  boys  closed  their  eyes  in  sleep.  How  many  times  while 
in  the  service  they  could  not  sleep  for  pain  or  fear,  and  now  they 
could  hardly  sleep  for  joy.  Did  any  one  dream  of  home,  sweet 
home? 

June  27th,  1865,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of 
the  regiment.  Having  served  their  government  until  the  Re 
bellion  was  crushed  and  peace  restored,  it  was  with  feelings  of 
exultation,  and  a  just  pride,  that  this  movement  of  the  Eighteenth 
Connecticut,  who  had  participated  in  the  stirring  events  which 
had  secured  such  a  glorious  result,  turned  their  faces  once  more 
toward  their  native  State,  and  the  loved  ones  at  home.  Twice 
during  their  term  of  service  had  the  regiment  been  ordered  home 
with  the  expectation  of  returning  to  the  scenes  of  strife  and  death, 
but  this  time  the  order  came  to  move  under  very  different  cir 
cumstances.  Every  man  awoke  early.  "Boys,  do  you  hear  that 
music?" — morning  reveille.  "Listen,  you  won't  hear  that  again 
in  Martinsburg  very  soon."  "Thank  God,"  was  the  response 
from  many  a  soldier  who  had  long  been  sick  of  the  "noise  of 
war."  The  last  relief  turn  their  steps  toward  the  camp,  exulting 


356  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


at  the  thought  of  no  more  challenging  the  sentries,  and  at  an  early 
hour  the  tents  were  struck  for  the  last  time,  and  about  six  o'clock 
A.  M.  the  regiment  was  in  line  awaiting  with  intense  excitement 
the  command  to  march.  This  soon  came,  and  the  line  moved 
through  the  town  amid  the  cheers,  waving  of  handkerchiefs,  and 
farewells  of  the  patriotic  citizens  of  the  place.  The  scene  was 
intensely  exciting  and  affecting. 

The  Eighteenth  left  a  host  of  friends  in  Martinsburg,  and  a 
"God  bless  you"  for  every  one  of  them.  The  skies  that  morning 
were  dull  and  heavy,  but  not  so  the  hearts  of  the  boys,  they  were 
light  and  happy,  even  if  Uncle  Sam  did  not  send  them  easy  chairs 
to  ride  in  to  Harper's  Ferry.  For  once  the  old  box  cars  were 
quite  tolerable  and  decent.  At  all  events  they  would  not  be 
boxed  up  in  that  way  many  times  more. 

The  train  moved  off  about  seven  o'clock  A.  M.,  while  soldiers 
and  citizens  cheered  loudly,  and  bade  each  other  a  hearty  good- 
by.  Arrived  at  Harper's  Ferry  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock. 
Spent  the  day  in  getting  ready  for  the  final  muster  out,  which 
took  place  at  six  o'clock  P.  M.,  on  the  very  ground  where  a  little 
more  than  two  years  before  the  regiment  formed  in  line  for  the 
first  time  on  Virginia  soil,  preparatory  to  an  advance  on  Win 
chester.  What  a  change!  Then  the  battalion  was  fully  one  thou 
sand  strong,  and  subsequently  increased  by  recruits  to  twelve 
hundred;  now  it  numbered  less  than  six  hundred  present  and 
absent. 

All  of  the  original  members  of  the  field  and  staff  were  absent 
but  three,  viz:  Capt.  Joseph  P.  Rockwell,  First  Lieut.  William 
Caruthers,  and  Commissary  Sergeant  Henry  Hovey;  and  these 
officers  were  not  at  this  time  acting  in  their  original  capacity,  but 
were  with  their  respective  companies,  excepting  Hovey. 

Of  all  the  officers  of  the  line,  June,  1863,  only  one-half  were 
present  at  the  final  muster  out.  And  the  same  was  nearly  true 
of  the  other  members  of  the  regiment.  Considering  the  vicissi 
tudes  of  nearly  three  years'  service,  it  is  a  wonder  that  there  were 
as  many  as  the  last  roll  indicated. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  357 


The  complete  catalogue,  which  will  be  found  hereafter,  will 
show  the  exact  number  of  all  the  officers  and  men,  the  date  of 
their  enlistment,  promotions,  casualties,  and  time  of  discharge. 

The  little  time  the  regiment  occupied  the  old  grounds  of  their 
first  experiences  in  Harper's  Ferry  was  full  of  interesting  remi 
niscences,  and  the  men  seemed  to  live  over  their  whole  soldier  life 
in  a  few  hours. 

This  place  had  been  one  of  very  exciting  scenes  at  various 
times;  their  present  farewell  visit  being  the  twelfth  time  they  had 
passed  through  this  town  during  their  sojourn  in  Maryland  and 
Virginia.  It  will  be  memorable  as  the  place  of  the  last  regimental 
muster,  and  official  relations  to  the  general  government  as  sol 
diers  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 

June  28th.  On  the  morning  of  this  eventful  day,  at  eight  A.  M., 
the  Eighteenth  bade  a  final  farewell  to  the  sacred  soil  of  Virginia, 
passed  over  the  iron  bridge  which  spanned  the  Potomac,  and  was 
"homeward  bound." 

Arrived  in  Baltimore  at  four  P.  M.,  and  at  six  o'clock  of  the 
same  evening  took  the  cars  for  Philadelphia,  arriving  about  day 
light  the  next  morning.  Marched  directly  to  the  Cooper  Institute 
rooms,  where  the  regiment  was  served  to  a  good  breakfast. 
Nearly  half  a  dozen  times  did  the  good  people  of  the  City  of 
Brotherly  Love  bountifully  supply  the  wants  of  the  regiment 
during  the  war,  and  the  most  pleasant  memories  of  their  repeated 
acts  of  hospitality  will  ever  be  cherished  by  the  members  of  the 
Eighteenth. 

At  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  the  regiment  passed  over  the  river  to 
the  Camden  and  Amboy  Railroad  Station,  and  took  the  train  for 
Amboy  and  thence  proceeded  to  New  York  by  boat.  Had  a 
very  pleasant  passage.  Marched  to  Castle  Garden,  where  re 
freshments  were  provided,  after  which  went  on  board  of  the 
steamer  Granite  State,  and  soon  passed  up  the  East  River  through 
Hell  Gate,  and  when  the  sun  went  down  the  Granite  State  was 
making  excellent  time  for  Hartford,  arriving  safely  at  that  place 
the  next  morning  at  seven  o'clock. 


358  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


The  whole  passage  from  Harper's  Ferry  was  very  expeditious 
and  pleasant.  The  best  of  order  prevailed  throughout,  and  on 
arriving  at  Hartford  the  regiment  was  in  excellent  condition  and 
spirits. 

The  regiment  as  a  whole  would  have  been  much  better  pleased 
to  have  been  sent  directly  to  Norwich,  from  whence  it  originally 
set  out  for  war,  and  for  the  return  thither  considerable  preparation 
had  been  made;  still  all  were  exceedingly  glad  to  set  their  feet 
anywhere  on  Connecticut  soil  once  more  as  citizens  of  a  com 
monwealth  which  had  maintained  such  a  glorious  record  during 
the  war  for  the  Union. 

The  march  from  the  boat  into  the  city,  and  through  some  of 
its  principal  streets,  created  no  little  excitement,  and  was  splen 
didly  executed. 

The  Eighteenth  had  come  by  boat — the  Granite  State — from 
New  York,  and  reached  Hartford  shortly  after  seven  o'clock  A. 
M.  This  was  earlier  than  they  were  expected,  but  the  ringing 
of  bells  notified  the  people  of  their  arrival,  and  a  crowd  soon  col 
lected  and  saw  them  disembark  five  hundred  and  fifty  strong.  The 
command  was  escorted  by  the  city  guards  and  was  met  every 
where  by  a  hearty  welcome  from  the  citizens. 

It  was  received  by  Governor  Buckingham,  the  Hartford  com 
mittee  on  receptions,  David  Clark,  Esq.,  chairman;  the  City 
Guard,  Capt.  John  K.  Williams;  the  Governor's  Guard,  Maj. 
L.  E.  Hunt,  and  by  the  senators  and  representatives  from  New 
London  and  Windham  Counties,  in  which  counties  the  regiments 
were  mainly  recruited. 

Marching  up  State  Street  a  line  was  formed  on  Central  Row, 
and  the  soldiers'  were  addressed  by  Governor  Buckingham,  who 
spoke  earnest  words  of  welcome,  commended  them  for  their  en 
durance  and  valor,  and  referring  in  fitting  terms  to  those  who 
had  fallen  while  gallantly  performing  their  duty.  His  remarks 
were  admirably  adapted  to  the  occasion,  and  he  was  loudly 
cheered  upon  concluding. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  359 


Hon.  George  Pratt,  representative  from  Norwich,  then  ad 
dressed  them  substantially  as  follows:  "Officers  and  soldiers  of 
the  Eighteenth  regiment:  In  the  name  of  the  citizens  of  Nor 
wich  and  New  London  County,  whom  I  in  part  represent,  I  bid 
you  welcome  home.  My  mind  cannot  fail  to  go  back  to  that  day 
when  a  thousand  strong  you  marched  forth  from  the  streets  of 
Norwich  full  of  hope,  bearing  with  you  our  love  and  admonition. 
We  welcome  you  back  sadly  thinned  in  numbers,  and  as  I  look 
upon  your  ranks,  I  look  in  vain  for  the  many  faces  I  once  knew 
and  loved.  Porter  and  Maginnis  who  lie  buried  beneath  the 
sod  of  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  I  look  in  vain  for  Payne  and 
Culver,  who  lie  by  their  side,  and  for  the  many  heroes  who  are 
silent  in  death.  All  honor  to  them,  and  all  honor  to  the  return 
ing  brave.  We  have  looked  upon  your  record  with  pride.  Al 
though  overwhelmed  by  numbers  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Win 
chester,  your  honor  was  untarnished  and  your  fame  has  been 
brightened  by  successive  victories.  Words  fail  me  as  I  attempt 
to  find  fit  expressions  of  welcome  for  the  returning  heroes.  You 
have  helped  to  dedicate  anew  the  cause  of  freedom,  and  save  our 
glorious  Union.  May  God  bless  you  for  your  heroic  endeavors. 
Your  country  will  hold  you  in  lasting  honor,  and  your  children's 
children  will  point  with  pride  to  your  glorious  record."  Mr. 
Pratt  closed  by  alluding  to  the  glorious  termination  of  the  regi 
ment's  career,  and  expressed  the  hope  that  the  regiment  would 
be  assembled  in  Norwich. 

Hon.  E.  H.  Bugbee,  of  Killingly,  State  senator  from  the  four 
teenth  district,  was  next  introduced.  He  said  in  substance: 
"Officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Eighteenth  Regiment:  In  the  name 
and  in  behalf  of  the  representatives  of  the  County  of  Windham, 
assembled  here  to  do  you  honor,  I  bid  you  a  most  hearty  and 
cordial  welcome.  Yes,  thrice  welcome.  Soldiers  of  the  Eight 
eenth,  three  years  ago,  of  your  own  free  will,  you  became  soldiers 
of  the  Republic.  Forsaking,  of  your  own  accord,  the  peaceful 
vocations  of  life,  you  went  forth  to  do  battle  for  the  rights  and 


36o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

the  life  of  the  nation,  and  because  of  your  valor  and  heroism  we 
have  a  national  existence.  We  are  free — all  the*  people  of  this 
land  are  free — -because  when  the  war  came  we  found  brave  men 
who  swore  that  the  nation  should  not  perish,  but  that  it  should 
live.  To  you  and  the  soldiers  of  the  great  grand  army  of  the 
Republic  we  are  indebted  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and 
a  race  is  also  indebted  to  you  for  its  freedom.  Your  names  and 
your  great  deeds  have  become  immortal,  and  this  people  shall 
erect  monuments  to  the  memories  of  those  who  have  fallen,  and 
inscribe  thereon  in  letters  that  shall  never  fade,  the  names  of 
the  fallen  braves,  and  your  names  too  shall  be  preserved 
through  all  the  centuries  of  our  national  existence.  We  cannot 
repay  you  tor  the  services  you  have  rendered  your  country,  but 
we  again  welcome  you  to  the  State,  and  to  your  homes. 

At  the  suggestion  of  David  Clark,  Esq.,  the  citizens  gave  three 
cheers  and  a  tiger  for  the  soldiers;  following  which  Hon.  John 
T.  Wait,  of  Norwich,  State  senator  from  the  eighth  district, 
was  called  upon  and  spoke  briefly.  His  remarks  were  very  touch 
ing,  his  emotion  being  so  great  that  he  was  almost  overcome. 
[He  lost  his  only  son,  a  noble  young  men,  at  the  battle  of  Antie- 
tam,  and  the  thought  of  him  was  natural  on  such  an  occasion.] 
In  his  expressions  of  love  for  the  old  flag,  and  his  allusions  to 
the  war  and  its  results,  he  was  earnest  and  eloquent.  Three 
cheers  were  given  him  as  he  concluded. 

Col.  John  T.  Bissell  then  received  the  regirhent  in  behalf  of  the 
citizens  of  Hartford.  Though  they  came  from  another  section 
of  the  State,  yet  it  afforded  him  no  less  pleasure  to  speak  of  their 
valor  and  patriotism.  His  remarks  were  very  appropriate,  and 
the  usual  cheers  were  given  upon  his  conclusion. 

Breakfast  was  served  to  the  regiment  after  these  ceremonies 
at  the  United  States  Hotel,  Trumbull  House,  Allyn  House,  and 
subsequently  the  men  were  escorted  to  the  Park  Street  camp 
where  they  were  to  be  mustered  out  of  State  service. 

The  officers  who  returned  were:    Lieut.    Col.    Henry    Peale, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  361 


Maj.  Joseph  Mathewson,  Adjutant  George  W.  Brady,  Chaplain 
William  C.  Walker,  Surgeon  L.  Holhrook,  Asst.  Surgeon  C.  H. 
Rowe,  Quarter-master  N.  P.  Johnson,  Captains  I.  N.  Kibbe,  J. 
P.  Rockwell,  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  J.  E.  Woodward,  Horatio  Blanch- 
ard,  C.  D.  Bowen,  John  Lilly,  E.  J.  Mathewson,  S.  T.  C.  Mer- 
win,  F.  G.  Bixby;  Lieutenants  John  A.  Francis,  William  Ca- 
ruthers,  A.  S.  Granger,  A.  W.  Loomis,  E.  S.  Hinckley,  E.  D. 
Carpenter,  Frank  McKeag,  C.  A.  Murray,  Robert  Kerr,  and 
A.  G.  Scranton. 

At  once  the  regiment  were  furloughed  to  their  homes. 

On  the  fifth  of  July  the  Eighteenth  returned  to  Hartford.  On 
the  sixth  they  turned  over  their  arms,  equipments,  colors,  etc., 
to  the  State  authorities,  and  on  the  ;th  were  paid  off,  received  their 
final  discharge,  and  were  no  longer  an  organization. 

In  a  few  hours  thereafter  the  trains  for  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State  were  crowded  with  happy  men  singing  "Homeward 
Bound,"  and  elated  with  the  most  joyous  anticipations. 

The  war  was  ended,  the  Rebellion  was  crushed,  the  "old  flag" 
and  the  nation  were  redeemed,  and  the  institutions  of  freedom 
made  secure. 


362  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMEN7 


CHAPTER    XVII 


PRISON    LIFE. 


War  at  the  best  is  cruel  sport,  and  its  darkest  aspects  but  a 
repulsive  record  of  trials,  hardships,  sufferings  and  death- — a 
sombre  picture  that  is  brightened  and  redeemed  only  by  exhi* 
bitions  of  those  higher  qualities  of  manhood  in  heroic  deeds  on  the 
battle-field  or  in  uncomplaining  fortitude  in  hospital  and  prison. 

The  writer  was  an  eye  witness  of  the  sufferings  of  men  on  the 
march,  in  hospitals  and  amid  the  horrors  of  the  battle-field,  and 
often  wondered  how  the  soldier  could  endure  such  heart-crushing 
experiences.  Of  prison  life  he  had  no  personal  knowledge,  and 
it  belongs  to  those  who  were  subjected  to  the  cruel  barbarism  of 
the  rebels  in  prison-pens  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  their  ex 
periences.  It  is  an  "old  story"  now,  but  it  is  due  the  memory  of 
the  heroes  who  suffered,  starved,  and  in  too  many  cases  died  in 
rebel  prisons  that  a  partial  record  should  be  handed  down  to  the 
generations  to  come.  In  chapters  VI.  and  VII.  we  have  given  a 
detailed  account  of  the  capture  at  Winchester,  Va.,  and  im 
prisonment  of  a  large  portion  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Eight 
eenth  Connecticut  Volunteers.  In  those  chapters  will  be  found 
a~  description  of  Libby  prison;  scenes  in  the  daily  life  there,  and 
of  the  ever  memorable  "tunnel  enterprise;"  also  a  reference  to 
the  time  when  the  officers  of  the  regiment  were  exchanged  and 
sent  back  into  our  lines.  The  following  extracts  will  show  how 
those  officers  fared  who  were  not  fortunate  enough  to  be  included 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  363 


in  the  exchange  made  in  March,  1864.  The  experiences  of  one 
prisoner  were  very  nearly  the  experiences  of  all  in  Danville,  Va., 
Andersonville  and  Macon,  Ga.,  Columbia,  and  elsewere. 

NARRATIVE  OF  SECOND  LIEUT.  JAMES  D.    HIGGINS,  COMPANY  A. 

This  officer  was  taken  prisoner  near  Winchester,  June  I5th, 
1863,  and  confined  in  Libby  prison  till  May  7th,  1864,  when  he 
was  sent  to  Danville,  and  thence  on  May  i2th  to  Macon,  Ga. 
The  change  from  the  prison  to  the  stockade,  he  says,  was  greatly 
enjoyed,  as  in  the  latter  place  he  was  out  of  doors;  but  the 
rations  were  poorer,  if  possible,  than  in  Libby. 

A  very  small,  poor  piece  of  bacon  and  a  similarly  small  allow 
ance  of  corn  meal,  without  salt,  made  a  very  unpalatable  meal. 
On  the  Fourth  of  July  four  comrades  raised  money  enough  to 
buy  one  small  onion  and  they  congratulated  themselves  that  they 
would  provide  a  treat  for  dinner  in  the  shape  of  a  soup.  They 
placed  their  bacon  and  onion  in  a  pot  over  the  fire  and  the 
stew  was  progressing  finely  when  they  heard  a  great  commotion 
outside — a  crowd  of  soldiers  were  cheering  and  shouting  joy 
ously.  The  diversion  was  caused  over  the  exhibition  by  a  new 
recruit  of  a  tiny  silk  flag — the  old  stars  and  stripes,  which  some 
of  the  prisoners  had  not  seen  for  a  year  or  more.  It  was  a  glad 
sight,  and  all  cheered  and  sang  lustily. 

The  guard  ordered  them  to  disperse,  but  as  soon  as  he  was 
out  of  sight  the  prisoners  crowded  around  the  recruit  and  his 
flag,  cheering  and  singing.  This  was  kept  up  for  several  hours; 
but,  alas  for  the  dinner!  When  the  cooks  returned  to  their  soup 
they  found  it  burned  past  redemption.  No  dinner  that  day. 
Lieut.  Higgins  further  says:  "When  the  rebels  saw  that  Gen. 
Sherman  was  likely  to  capture  Atlanta,  they  concluded  that 
Macon  was  not  safe  from  his  raids,  and  hence  all  the  prisoners, 
excepting  the  sick,  were  ordered  to  Charleston.  There  were 
twenty-three  officers  in  the  hospital,  among  whom  were  Dr.  Har 
rington  and  Lieut.  Scranton,  and  myself.  Learning  that  they 


364  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 

were  to  be  left  without  nurses,  I  applied  for  and  received  per 
mission  to  remain  and  care  for  them.  The  rebels  now  began  to 
fill  up  the  stockade  with  the  wounded  from  Sherman's  army,  and 
during  the  three  weeks  following  I  saw  more  human  suffering 
than  I  had  ever  witnessed  before.  Men  wounded  in  every  con 
ceivable  manner  were  brought  in  in  army-wagons,  and  dump- 
carts,  piled  upon  each  other  almost  like  cord-wood,  and  in 
a  manner  entirely  regardless  of  the  nature  of  their  wounds.  The 
rebel  guard  apparently  paid  no  more  attention  to  their  shrieks  of 
agony  than  they  would  to  the  howling  of  a  dog. 

"At  length,  on  account  of  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  an  order  came 
to  send  all  the  Yankee  officers,  the  sick  as  well  as  the  sound,  to 
Charleston.  On  the  day  of  our  departure  the  officer  in  charge 
made  out  a  roll  of  the  officers,  but  accidentally  my  name  was 
not  taken.  About  two  o'clock  P.  M.  several  ambulances  arrived, 
and  the  officers,  as  their  names  were  called,  were  placed  therein. 
I  was  left  alone.  Lieut.  Davis,  the  officer  in  charge,  inquired: 
'Hasn't  your  name  been  called?'  'No,  sir,'  I  answered.  'What 
is  your  name?'  he  asked.  'J.  D.  Higgins,'  I  replied.  'Run 
along,'  said  he,  scribbling  my  name  on  the  roll  without  asking 
anything  further.  Arriving  at  the  depot,  the  whole  party,  now 
numbering  thirty-four  men,  were  placed  in  an  ordinary  freight 
car,  with  straw  mattresses  for  four  of  the  worst  cases.  We  left 
Macon  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  arrived  at  Augusta  the 
next  morning;  and  thence  were  sent  to  Charleston,  S.  C.  I  pro 
cured  a  morning  paper,  and  my  attention  was  arrested  by  a  tele 
gram  announcing  that  all  non-combatants  in  Charleston  were  to 
be  released  on  the  next  day  under  a  flag  of  truce.  I  congratulated 
Dr.  Harrington  on  the  probability  of  his  being  included  in  the  list, 
when  it  suddenly  occurred  to  my  mind  that  here  was  a  chance  for 
me.  I  soon  saw  the  corporal  of  the  guard  reading  the  roll  of 
prisoners,  and  he  allowed  me  to  look  at  it,  holding  it  himself. 

"On  coming  to  my  name,  I  pretended  to  be  indignant  because 
the  column  opposite  to  it  was  not  filled  out,  and  asked  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  365 


reason.  He  replied  that  probably  it  was  a  mistake,  but  he  would 
make  it  right.  Taking  his  pencil  he  filled  the  blank  as  I  dictated: 
'Assistant  Surgeon  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Ohio  Volun 
teers,  captured  at  Lynchburg,  Va.,  June  i8th,  1864.'  I  retired  well 
pleased  and  confided  my  secret  to  Dr.  Harrington  and  my  inti 
mate  friends.  When  we  arrived  in  Charleston  the  provost 
marshal  met  us  at  the  depot,  and  after  looking  over  the  roll 
called  for  the  three  surgeons  whose  names  he  noticed.  We  im 
mediately  presented  ourselves,  and  were  told  that  the  next  morn 
ing  we  could  be  sent  into  the  Union  lines,  or  wait  until  the  next 
boat.  We  preferred  to  improve  the  first  opportunity,  and  after 
the  rest  had  been  sent  to  the  hospital  went  with  the  officer  to  his 
quarters,  remaining  there  until  midnight.  I  stretched  myself 
upon  the  floor  and  tried  to  sleep,  but  it  was  impossible.  The 
uncertainty  of  my  position  strained  my  nervous  system  to  its 
utmost.  My  heart  felt  as  large  as  my  head,  and  I  could  hear 
every  beat  as  plainly  as  the  stroke  of  a  hammer.  The  welcome 
morning  dawned,  but  1  could  eat  nothing,  the  food  stuck  fast  in 
my  throat.  About  seven  o'clock  we  were  formed  in  line  and 
marched  to  the  truce-boat,  which  started  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M. 
There  was  no  cabin  on  the  boat,  so  we  were  placed  on  the  for 
ward  deck,  made  to  sit  with  our  backs  to  the  rail  and  a  guard 
was  placed  over  us  to  keep  our  heads  bowed  clown  so  that  we 
could  not  see  the  rebel  fortifications. 

"We  met  the  Federal  truce-boat,  the  Wyoming,  half  a  mile 
below  Fort  Sumter,  and  as  the  rebel  craft  hauled  along  side, 
we  were  allowed  to  rise,  and  the  first  thing  that  met  our  eyes 
was  the  glorious  stars  and  stripes  waving  protectingly  over  our 
heads.  An  involuntary  shout  burst  from  all  as  we  sprang  to  our 
feet,  which  was  promptly  suppressed  by  the  guard.  After  an  hour 
and  a  half,  which  seemed  an  age,  each  prisoner,  as  his  name  was 
called,  marched  on  board  the  Wyoming.  That  gang-plank  seemed 
to  me  the  dividing  line  between  life  and  death.  At  one  end  life, 
liberty  and  all  I  held  dear  on  earth,  at  the  other  a  loathsome 


366  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


dungeon,  starvation  and  perhaps  death.  I  hurried  forward, 
crossed  the  plank  and  reached  the  deck  of  the  Wyoming,  but  the 
feeling  of  dread  that  I  might  not  yet  be  safe  caused  me  to  get  out 
of  sight  at  once.  When  the  bow  of  the  boat  was  turned  in  the 
opposite  direction,  and  we  got  underway,  then  did  I  realize  that  I 
was  free,,  and  my  pent-up  feelings  found  relief.  I  danced,  I 
laughed  and  cried  like  a  lunatic,  till  the  other  doctors  stared  in 
amazement.  But  why  should  they  understand  my  feelings?  Not 
one  of  them  had  been  a  prisoner  over  four  months,  while  I  had 
had  a  bitter  experience  of  fifteen. 

When  the  boat  arrived  at  Hilton  Head,  and  Harrington  was 
taken  to  the  hospital,  Lieut.  Higgins  went  before  Lieut.  Col. 
Woodford  to  prove  hfs  identity,  and  the  colonel  immediately 
said:  "I  know  you;  you  are  a  line  officer.  You  can  go  to  the 
pay-master  and  draw  some  money  with  which  to  buy  clothing, 
and  be  ready  to  go  back  to-morrow."  One  of  the  surgeons  who 
had  been  a  prisoner  only  four  months  had  betrayed  him. 

At  this  discovery  Higgins  became  desperate,  and  said:  "I  nev 
er  will  go  back  alive."  The  colonel  replied:  "It  is  no  use  to 
talk  in  that  way;  you  must  go  back."  Higgins  responded:  "Why 
not  send  a  well  line  officer  back  in  my  place,  now  that  I  have  got 
so. far?  To  send  me  back  now  would  be  sending  me  to  death. 
I  shall  be  thrown  into  a  dungeon  and  that  will  end  all,  for  I  can 
not  bear  much  more." 

"No,"  was  the  reply,  "they  had  agreed  to  exchange  only  non- 
combatants,  and  you  must  go  back." 

Higgins  says:  "Imagine  my  feelings;  thrown  from  the  moun 
tain  top  of  expectant  joy  clown  into  the  valley  of  deep  despair. 
I  then  went  to  see  Dr.  Harrington,  but  he  had  been  sent  to 
Beaufort.  I  felt  my  last  hope  was  gone,  and  I  must  devise  some 
way  of  escape,  for  I  could  never  go  back.  I  thought  of  a  friend 
of  mine,  Charles  Dennis,  of  Norwich,  and  to  him  I  went  and 
told  my  story.  He  said  he  thought  he  could  help  me.  He  had 
a  ship  that  would  sail  for  New  York  the  next  day.  The  cap- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  367 

tain  came  in  at  that  moment  and  went  with  me  into  an  adjoining 
room,  where  I  told  him  my  story,  and  the  kind-hearted  sailor 
said:  'I  will  help  you.  My  ship  sails  to-morrow  at  noon.  Come 
on  board  in  good  season,  and  I  will  see  what  I  can  do  for  you.' 
Towards  night,  as  I  was  walking  on  the  beach,  I  met  Col.  Wood- 
ford,  and  as  he  walked  slowly  by,  without  looking  at  me,  he  said: 
'The  ship,  Carnac,  sails  to-morrow  at  twelve  o'clock.  You  will 
be  searched  for.'  Whether  his  heart  had  softened,  and  he 
wished  me  to  elude  the  searchers  and  escape,  so  that  he  would 
not  have  to  send  me  back,  I  never  knew,  but  my  feelings  toward 
him  were  changed  for  the  better.  Next  day,  toward  noon,  I 
went  on  board  the  ship  without  being  challenged,  as  I  had  on  Dr. 
Harrington's  coat — after  that  I  sent  it  to  him  at  Beaufort.  The 
captain  accompanied  me  down  to  the  steward,  who  took  me  in 
charge,  gave  me  a  cap  and  apron  and  set  me  to  work.  Just  be 
fore  twelve  o'clock  the  soldiers  came  on  board  the  ship  in  search 
of  me.  They  came  into  the  steward's  room  and  said:  'Who 
have  you  here?'  The  reply  was:  'None  but  my  men.'  The  soK 
diers  seemed  satisfied  and  went  away.  Then  I  came  out  from 
my  hiding  place,  and  felt  as  though  I  was  on  my  way  to  freedom. 
Arriving  in  New  York  I  began  to  fear  again  lest  I  might  be  tak 
en  back.  I  did  not  leave  the  ship  for  an  hour  or  more,  and  then 
I  hurried  into  a  street  car,  went  to  a  hotel  and  did  not  go  out  till 
dark,  when  I  took  the  cars  for  Havre  de  Grace.  I  began  to 
think  then  I  was  a  free  man,  and  yet  I  could  hardly  realize  it. 
I  felt  as  if  I  were  dreaming.  I  would  pinch  myself  to  see  if  I 
was  not  asleep.  It  was  many  weeks  before  I  could  feel  a  cer 
tainty  of  my  freedom." 

Lieut.  Higgins  was  very  ill  for  a  number  of  weeks  after  his  re 
lease,  and  although  he  lived  a  number  of  years  after  the  war,  he 
died  a  victim  of  the  rebel  prisons.  No  one  will  question  his 
methods  to  regain  his  liberty  after  so  many  months  of  suffering 
from  the  barbarisms  of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 


368  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


EXPERIENCES    OF    SECOND    LIEUT.    E.   D.    CARPENTER,  COMPANY  B. 

This  officer  was  captured  on  June  I5th,  1863,  at  the  Winches 
ter  battle,  and  was  sent  to  Libby  prison  where  he  remained  ten 
months  and  a  half.  Then  he  was  taken  to  Danville  and  thence 
to  Greensboro,  Salisbury,  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  Columbia,  S.  C.,  and 
Augusta,  Ga.  At  this  place  he  made  his  escape,  and  after  pro 
ceeding  north  for  two  days  was  captured.  He  was  treated  kind 
ly,  however,  and  taken  back  to  Augusta  and  placed  in  jail  for 
one  night;  thence  being  sent  to  the  stockade  at  Macon.  He 
says:  "I  found  upon  my  arrival  that  the  rebels  had  made  no 
preparation  for  our  shelter,  and  we  had  to  construct  such  as  we 
needed.  We  were  in  a  stockade  containing  about  two  acres  of 
ground.  We  remained  here  about  two  months.  Our  fare  con 
sisted  of  corn  meal,  and  poor  bacon  alive  with  maggots,  and  a 
very  little  rice.  We  remained  until  fears  were  entertained  of  a 
raid  from  Sherman,  when  we  were  sent  to  Savannah,  and  thence 
to  Charleston.  While  at  Savannah  I  was  attacked  with  a  diar 
rhea,  which  never  left  me  while  I  was  a  prisoner.  At  Charleston 
I  was  put  in  the  city  jail  yard,  one  of  the  most  abominably  filthy 
places  I  ever  saw;  and  there  I  ate  and  slept  in  grit  and  dirt. 

"Remained  about  two  weeks,  while  the  Union  shells  were  con 
tinually  passing  over  us,  going  steadily  farther  and  farther  into 
the  city  each  day.  The  yellow  fever  breaking  out  among  us, 
after  a  three  weeks'  stay  we  were  taken  to  Columbus,  fifteen 
hundred  of  us  in  all,  to  a  high  tract  of  land  about  three  miles 
from  the  city,  including  four  acres  nearly  covered  with  pines, 
and  here  we  were  turned  loose  to  browse  with  no  shelter.  The 
rebels  allowed  us  one  ax  to  every  two  hundred  men.  Those 
who  had  money  purchased  additional  ones,  and  after  two  months' 
work  we  succeeded  in  providing  ourselves  barely  a  shelter  from 
the  cold  storms.  But  other  poor  fellows  were  not  so  fortunate, 
but  remained  for  weeks  with  no  shelter,  and  little  clothing,  ex 
posed  to  the  pouring  rains.  This  state  of  things  produced  uni 
versal  discontent.  Having  no  stockade  around  us,  many  of  us 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  369 


made  efforts  to  escape,  and   altogether  three  hundred    succeeded 
at  various  times  in  getting  away. 

"On  December  icth,  1864,  I  was  moved  for  the  last  time,  being 
obliged  to  go  to  the  hospital.  I  had  become  so  weak  that  I  could 
hardly  keep  about;  but  relief  came  at  last  in  the  advance  of 
Sherman's  army.  On  February  I3th,  1865,  at  about  nightfall, 
while  it  was  raining  in  torrents,  word  came  for  our  officers  to  get 
ready  for  removal  to  Charlotte,  N.  C.  All  the  men  were  able  to 
go  except  four,  myself  being  one  of  the  number.  I  was  trans 
ferred  to  another  hospital  in  the  city  which  was  used  for  Con 
federate  sick  and  wounded  soldiers.  Two  days  after  the  shells 
from  Sherman's  batteries  began  to  fly  over  the  city,  causing 
great  consternation  among  the  rebels,  and  preparations  were 
made  to  remove  the  inmates  of  the  hospital  out  of  the  range  of 
the  tiring.  I  felt  perfectly  calm;  indeed  the  noise  and  hissing  of 
the  shells  was  the  most  enjoyable  music  that  had  greeted  my  ears 
for  a  long  time. 

"I  was  in  hopes  that  the  officers  in  charge  would  allow  me  to 
remain  quietly  where  I  was  to  be  recaptured  by  our  forces;  but 
the  order  soon  came  to  get  up  and  dress  and  be  ready  to  move. 
I  was  greatly  disappointed.  The  hospital  was  a  large  building, 
consisting  of  two  wards,  No.  i,  and  No.  2,  and  I  was  in  the  upper 
story.  The  guards  began  to  remove  the  inmates  and  had  cleared 
the  upper  ward.  I  was  below  waiting  my  turn.  I  returned  up  stairs 
to  get  something  that  I  had  left  behind,  and  while  there  the 
thought  occurred  to  me  of  trying  to  escape.  I  hastily  concealed 
myself  under  a  bunk,  pulled  down  the  blankets  to  the  floor,  and 
there  I  lay  quietly  until  the  rebels  retired,  and  was  not  missed. 
They  had  carried  all  the  sick  away  and  as  I  was  not  visible  evidently 
they  supposed  I  must  have  been  among  the  first  to  be  moved.  The 
rebels  next  put  a  large  gang  of  negroes  to  work  removing  the 
bedding;  and  as  they  worked  away  one  of  them  came  along 
where  I  was,  and  lifting  the  blankets  seemed  much  alarmed  on 
discovering  me  and  sprung  back  instantly.  \  motioned  to  him 

47 


370  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


to  be  quiet  and  go  away,  and  he  did  so.  But  as  soon  as  he 
was  alone,  he  returned  and  inquired  who  I  was.  When  I  told 
him,  he  seemed  much  pleased  and  expressed  the  hope  that  I  might 
get  safely  away.  He  told  me  that  as  soon  as  the  bedding  had 
been  removed  the  rebels  would  lock  up  the  building,  and  asked 
me  how  I  would  be  able  to  get  down  stairs.  I  told  him  that  J 
would  find  a  way.  It  was  about  two  o'clock  P.  M.  when  I  got 
under  the  bunk,  and  at  about  four  o'clock  all  was  still.  I  re 
mained  quietly  until  alter  dark,  when  the  door  was  unlocked  and 
I  heard  voices.  The  ward  masters  and  assistants  had  come  in  to 
spend  the  night.  So  here  was  a  fix.  How  would  I  be  able 
to  get  out  unobserved.  There  was  a  fire-place  at  each  end  of  the 
room.  My  visitors  built  a  fire  in  the  one  opposite  to  me,  and 
while  they  were  all  seated  and  busy  talking  I  made  my  way  to 
the  door,  got  under  a  bunk  and  waited  for  a  favorable  opportunity 
to  escape. 

"I  heard  them  talking  about  myself  and  wondering  how  I  dis 
appeared  so  suddenly.  At  about  nine  o'clock  I  got  out  un 
observed.  My  first  purpose  was  to  find  a  negro  who  would  direct 
me  to  a  place  of  safety  till  Sherman  should  enter  the  city.  I  was 
not  successful,  and  I  learned  afterward  that  the  negroes  were 
locked  up  during  the  night  in  their  quarters.  I  had  become  very 
faint  and  hungry  and  as  all  the  stores  were  closed  up,  my  only 
chance  was  to  apply  at  a  private  house.  I  went  to  a  large  dwell 
ing,  rapped,  was  admitted,  and  four  or  five  ladies  came  into  the 
hall  and  surveyed  me  from  head  to  foot.  They  asked  me  where  I 
lived,  and  I  replied:  'At  Savannah;'  'but'  said  I,  'the  Yanks  are 
there  now,  and  I  cannot  go  home.'  They  asked  me  to  what  regi 
ment  I  belonged,  and  I  told  them  that  I  was  connected  with  none, 
being  on  hospital  service,  and  that  1  had  been  moving  patients 
that  day  so  as  to  be  able  to  get  them  out  from  under  fire  of  Yankee 
batteries.  In  the  meantime  one  of  the  ladies  had  got  me  some 
cold  meat  and  bread,  and  invited  me  to  sit  down  and  eat.  But 
I  explained  that  it  was  late  and  that  1  would  prefer  to  take  the, 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  371 


food  in  my  hand  and  be  going.  I  gladly  went  on  my  way,  anx 
ious  to  escape  further  questions.  I  then  made  a  bold  push  to 
get  lodging  for  the  night,  as  I  found  that  I  was  failing  fast  in 
strength.  I  at  once  proceeded  to  a  hotel  where  I  found  lodging, 
I  registered  as  'J.  C.  Cady,  Charleston,  S.  C.,'  and  immediately 
retired  to  a  good  bed  in  a  room  by  myself.  I  lay  till  nine  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  when  one  of  the  servants  came  and  told  me 
they  were  going  to  shut  the  hotel  as  there  was  great  excitement 
in  the  city.  I  arose  and  after  long  waiting  got  a  pretty  good 
breakfast.  I  found  that  I  had  been  stopping  at  Gen.  Beauregard's 
head-quarters,  and  that  he  had  left  about  an  hour  before.  As  I 
went  out  of  the  hotel,  I  saw  the  Confederate  cavalry  on  all  sides 
and  about  me.  At  about  eleven  o'clock  I  saw  a  flag  advancing 
up  the  street,  and  I  could  hardly  believe  my  eyes  as  my  glance 
fell  on  the  stars  and  stripes,  the  clear  old  flag,  which  had  not 
greeted  me  before  for  two  years. 

The  flag  came  up  rapidly  in  the  direction  of  the  State  house 
and  as  it  passed  me  I  took  off  my  cap  and  cheered  lustily,  causing 
some  astonishment  in  the  street.  Soon  I  saw  the  infantry  ap 
proaching,  Gen.  Sherman  at  the  head,  with  Gen.  Howard  by  his 
side.  Their  presence  called  forth  cheer  after  cheer  from  the 
soldiers.  That  night  Columbus  was  burned.  It  was  a  grand  and 
awful  sight.  I  was  taken  in  charge  by  the  surgeon-in-chief,  put 
into  an  ambulance  and  accorded  the  best  of  treatment."  From 
this  place  Lieut.  Carpenter  was  taken  to  Lafayette,  N.  C.,  thence 
to  Wilmington,  and  thence  by  steamer  to  Baltimore,  where  he 
arrived  safely,  and  found  himself  once  more  among  old  friends. 
After  a  short  visit  to  Connecticut  he  returned  to  the  regiment  in 
early  spring,  and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  June  2/th,  at 
Harper's  Ferry. 

CAPT.   JOHN    E.    WOODWARD,  COMPANY   F. 

This  patriotic  officer  was  another  victim  of  the  first  Winchester 
fight.  His  experiences  in  rebel  prisons  was  much  the  same  as 
those  already  described.  In  his  account  of  his  prison-life  he 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


speaks  first  of  his  comparatively  pleasant  ride  by  rail,  under  the 
Blue  Ridge  mountain,  of  his  arrival  at  Libby,  which  he  designates 
"a  hell  upon  earth,"  and  of  the  greetings  from  Gen.  Straight's 
command,  which  awaited  all  the  new  arrivals  of  "fresh  fish  and 
Milroy's  thieves."  He  goes  on  to  say  that  the  severity  of  Libby's 
barbarities  was  somewhat  mitigated  for  a  while  by  the  arrival  of 
boxes  of  food  and  clothing  from  the  dear  ones  at  home,  also  of  a 
large  box  of  similar  articles  from  his  own  company,  which  were 
divided  among  our  squad. 

This  transfer  to  Danville,  and  thence  to  Macon,  was  rather  an 
improvement  on  Libby.  He  speaks  of  Gen.  Stoneman's  failure, 
and  the  presence  of  so  many  of  his  command  as  prisoners,  as  an 
occurrence  that  "brought  tears  to  our  eyes."  He  was  placed 
under  the  "fire  of  the  Yankee  batteries  at  Charleston."  "The 
rebel  officers,  however,  treated  us  kindly  and  respectfully  for 
prisoners  of  war,  giving  us  more  and  better  rations  than  we  had 
at  any  other  point.  The  reason  was  that  they  had  been 
prisoners  themselves  at  the  North,  and  knew  the  difference 
between  our  treatment  of  them  and  that  which  was  our  lot  to 
suffer  by  orders  of  their  government."  From  Charleston  he  was 
sent  to  Columbus  and  suffered  barbarities  characteristic  of  that 
place  which  have  been  already  described.  The  guard  was  composed 
of  "Georgians  and  Mary  landers,  cold-blooded  beings — the  worst 
type  of  men."  He  adds:  "We  often  thought  the  Virginians  were 
bad  enough  but  this  set  could  discount  them  fifty  per  cent."  On 
the  arrival  of  Sherman's  army  at  Columbus,  the  Yankee  prisoners 
were  dispatched,  about  the  1 5th  of  February  to  Charlotte, 
N.  C.;  thence  to  Greensboro  and  thence  to  Raleigh.  In  these 
transfers  the  captain  saw  a  probability  oi  an  exchange  being  sent 
to  Waldoboro.  "On  the  following  day,  March  ist,  1865,"  he 
says,  "to  our  great  joy  we  bade  good-by  to  Southern  Confeder 
acy  at  the  Northeast  Bridge,  N.  C.,  after  twenty  months  and 
fifteen  days  of  suffering  confinement  in  rebel  prisons."  The 
rest  of  the  story  must  be  told  in  his  own  language.  "Outside  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  373 


Wilmington,  N.C.,  we  were  received  into  the  Union  lines  by  our 
own  State  volunteers,  the  Seventh  Regiment,  who  were  acting  as 
provost  guard;  and  here,  for  the  first  time  since  the  beginning  of 
our  imprisonment,  our  eyes,  full  of  tears,  saw  the  old  flag,  which 
seemed  dearer  to  us  than  ever  before.  Never  can  I  forget  that 
glad  day,  nor  the  joyful  excitement  experienced  by  those  of  us  who 
had  suffered  such  a  long  confinement.  At  Northeast  Bridge 
our  troops  had  erected  an  arch  of  flags  and  evergreens,  inscribed 
with  the  word,  'Welcome,'  and  under  this  we  marched 
dancing  with  joy  and  with  clapping  of  hands,  while  the  bands 
played,  and  the  air  rang  with  wild  huzzas!  This  was  the  first 
time  that  we  had  seen  our  colored  comrades.  Four  brigades 
were  drawn  up  on  each  side  of  our  route  to  receive  us. 

"1  have  often  thought  of  the  enjoyment  of  children  at  play, 
in  connection  with  our  feelings  that  day,  but  no  group  of  little 
ones  might  be  compared,  except  in  their  emotions,  with  our  worn 
out,  starved  and  half-dead  officers  who  acted  out  their  childhood  . 
again.  Slept  at  Wilmington  that  night  after  receiving  our  first 
rations  at  the  hands  of  colored  troops,  and  on  the  day  following 
sailed  for  Annapolis,  Md.,  arriving  there  on  Sunday  evening. 
Here  I  donned  a  new  suit  of  blue,  and  was  granted  a  leave  of 
absence  to  my  home;  the  reader  can  guess  the  rest. 

"Rejoined  my  regiment  May  6th,  1865,  at  Martinsburg."  Capt. 
Woodward  gives  the  names  of  the  officers  who  were  with  him  in  his 
prison  life,  according  to  his  best  recollection,  as  follows:  Capt. 
Henry  C.  Davis,  First  Lieut.  Adam  H.  Lindsey,  Company  A; 
Capt.  Ezra  J.  Mathewson,  Second  Lieut.  Asahel  G.  Scranton, 
Company  K;  Capt.  Charles  13.  Bowen,  First  Lieut.  Andrew 
W.  Loomis,  Second  Lieut.  William  H.  Locke,  Company  H; 
Second  Lieut.  Francis  Me Keag,  Company  E;  F'irst  Lieut.  Samuel 
T.  C.  Merwin,  Company  C. 

Could  the  experiences  of  all  these  men,  together  with  those  of 
other  officers  of  the  regiment  named  elsewhere,  be  written, 
the  record  would  be  sufficient  to  fill  a  large  volume.  From  the 


374  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


narratives  in  these  pages  we  may  learn  at  least  something  of  the 
sufferings  and  hardships  of  all.  In  some  instances  the  men  suf 
fered  worse  than  a  thousand  deaths,  and  their  names  may  be 
justly  enrolled  on  the  roster  of  those  who  were  martyrs  for  the 
salvation  of  their  beloved  country.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that 
of  the  officers  who  were  .incarcerated  in  rebel  prisons,  most  of  them 
for  over  twenty  months,  not  one  of  them  actually  died  in  prison. 
How  it  was  possible  that  so  many  should  have  survived  this  bar 
barous,  and  inhuman  treatment,  is  a  marvel.  It  must  be  said, 
however,  that  very  few  of  them  returned  but  with  shattered  and 
broken-down  constitutions  and  afflicted  with  a  complication  of 
diseases  that  resulted  ii\  early  death.  Nearly  one-half  since  then 
have  obeyed  the  call  of  the  great  commander  and  their  battle  of 
life  is  ended. 

If  the  officers  suffered  thus  severely  in  imprisonment  what 
shall  be  said  of  the  fate  of  the  private  soldiers?  They  wore  no 
stars  and  straps  to  entitle  them  to  respect,  or  at  least  to  more 
humane  treatment,  it  being  generally  admitted  that  an  officer  was 
accorded  more  privileges,  either  out  of  regard  to  his  rank,  or  on 
account  of  his  having  more  means  at  his  command  to  purchase 
comforts  of  life.  If  every  soldier  had  written  the  story  of  his  priva 
tions  and  sufferings  while  in  prison,  the  record  would  equal  in  its 
pathetic  and  affecting  incidents  any  book  of  martyrs  ever  penned. 

James  S.  Bigelow,  Company  I,  was  six  months  a  prisoner  at 
Belle  Island  and  Danville.  He  was  marched  barefooted  from 
Winchester  in  June,  1863,10  Staunton,  thence  conveyed  to  Rich 
mond  in  a  rickety  cattle  car,  thence  to  Lynchburg  and  then  on 
to  Danville,  where  he  was  placed  in  prison  No.  4,  about  the 
jth  of  August.  His  narrative  begins  at  this  time.  He  says: 
"My  prison-life  now  began  in  earnest.  Had  1  at  that  time  known 
the  privations  and  misery  I  was  to  endure  for  the  next  six  months 
I  think  I  should  have  given  up  all  hope  of  surviving.  But  the 
daily  expectations  of  a  parole  or  exchange  sustained  me.  No  one 
but  a  comrade  prisoner  can  know  what  it  is  to  suffer  the  pangs  of 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  375 


hunger,  week  after  week  and  month  after  month.  Our  rations 
were  corn-cake  only,  one  cake,  six  inches  square  and  two  inches 
thick,  being  a  ration  for  two  men  for  one  clay.  It  was  equally 
divided,  each  man  performing  this  service  alternately  and  each 

c>  J 

piece  was  handed  from  one  to  the  other  several  times  for  each  to 
see  if  there  was  any  difference  in  the  size,  for  we  felt  that  each 
crumb  represented  moments  of  life.  These  rations  were  not 
snatched  and  hastily  eaten  as  one  might  suppose  that  starving  men 
would  do," 

On  October  i^th,  a  well-organized  plan  of  escape  was  executed 
by  the  men  who  were  driven  in  their  starving  condition  to  go 
out  in  squads  to  work  on  the  rebel  fortifications.  Bigelow  was 
one  of  about  one  hundred  men,  guarded  by  twenty  rebel  soldiers, 
who  went  out  to  work  on  that  eventful  day.  Two  men  had  been 
assigned  to  each  guard,  and  at  a  given  signal  they  were  to  disarm 
them  and  then  make  a  dash  for  the  woods.  The  signal  was  the 
word  "corn-dodger."  At  the  instant  this  was  given  a  simulta 
neous  break  was  successfully  made  and  the  race  for  life  and  liberty 
began;  to  end  in  death  for  some  and  for  others  indescribable  suf 
ferings  and  recapture.  Bigelow  had  taken  the  precaution  to 
bind  up  his  feet  in  some  old  rags,  but  these  were  only  a  slight 
protection  from  the  briers  and  roughness  of  the  way.  He  was 
retaken.  "After  this,"  he  says,  "it  was  close  confinement  for  us 
all.  I  managed  to  live  but  it  was  only  an  existence.  As  the 
cold  weather  came  on  our  sufferings  increased,  and  each  day  we 
had  less  strength  to  resist  the  cold. 

"At  last  the  guards  gave  us  a  stove,  but  fuel  was  scarce  and 
poor,  and  we  could  get  but  little  heat.  On  the  coldest  days  we 
formed  in  circles  around  the  stove,  and  as  the  inner  circle  got 
warm,  it  would  fall  back  and  give  place  to  another.  Oh!  it  was 
a  terrible  winter,  many  dying  daily  of  starvation  alone,  for  had 
we  received  proper  nourishment,  we  could  have  better  withstood 
the  cold  weather.  In  conclusion  I  would  say  that  Danville 
prison-life  sapped  my  very  life-strength.  I  entered  it  in  good 


376  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


health  with  a  robust  constitution.  I  left  it  with  a  sickly,  emaciated 
body  that  daily  reminds  me  of  the  cursed  inhumanity  of  the 
Southern  soldiers,  rank  and  file.  Yet  the  prisoners  were  most 
obedient  and  my  experience  tells  me  that  even  when  the  most 
brutal  orders  were  given,  the  privates  were  not  slow  to  execute; 
and  that  almost  to  a  man  they  exceeded  the  requirements  of  their 
orders.  We  may  forgive  but  as  long  as  they  live  Union  prisoners 
can  never  forget." 

Charles  J.  Richards,  ot  Company  A,  in  addition  to  his  ex 
periences  at  Belle  Isle,  I.ynchburg,  Danville  and  Florence,  was 
also  a  boarder  at  Andersonville  for  six  weeks.  He  was  at  length 
taken  to  Wilmington,  ISI.  C,  where  he  was  released  and  sent  to 
Annapolis,  Md. 

It  is  believed  that  the  most  of  those  members  of  the  regiment 
who  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  sent  to  Andersonville,  the  worst 
of  all  the  rebel  prisons,  died  of  the  barbarous  treatment  there 
received.  The  horrors  of  that  death-pen  have  never  yet  been 
adequately  described.  "The  scenes  inside  the  stockade,  near  the 
gate,  were  often  too  terrible  to  be  pictured  with  the  pen.  Here 
would  be  gathered  in  the  morning,  on  their  way  to  pass  through 
the  gate  where  medicines  were  distributed,  the  sick,  often  creeping 
upon  their  hands  and  knees,  and  also  those  who  were  too  sick  to 
creep  and  who  were  borne  by  feeble,  staggering  companions. 
Here,  also,  were  stretcher-bearers  with  their  burdens  of  the 
dead,  all  waiting  in  a  densely-packed  throng  of  thousands,  often  in 
the  rain  or  sultry  tropical  sun,  where  not  a  breath  of  air  stirred 
to  revive  the  fainting.  Frequently  the  sick,  abandoned  by  those 
who  carried  them,  were  left  in  the  crowd  where  no  air  could  reach 
them,  and  thus  uncared  for  thev  died.  This  neglect  was  caused 
not  so  much  by  want  of  feeling  on  the  part  of  comrades  as 
by  the  inability  of  the  latter  to  longer  care  for  them.  Those  who 
bore  stretchers  often  fell  fainting,  and  died  in  the  throng  of 
waiting  misery,  and  on  one  day  in  July  twenty  men  breathed 
their  last  in  less  than  four  hours  among  the  crowd  around  the 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  377 

prison  gate.  Equally  great  was  the  mortality  among  th("  prisoners 
Who  were  transferred  to  the  hospital  outside  the  stockade."  That 
this  picture  by  Mr.  Richards  is  not  overdrawn  will  Ix*  seen  when 
it  is  considered  that  three  thousand  five  hundred  prisoners 
were  crowded  into  a  space  of  not  more  than  two  acres  of  land, 
and  subjected  daily  to  such  treatment,  in  respect  to  shelter,  food 
and  medicine  as  would  be  a  burning  disgrace  to  the  most  barbaric 
race.  "All  over  camp,"  says  an  eye-witness,  "men  might  be  seen 
creeping  out  of  holes  like  half  drowned  kittens."  (See  the 
soldier's  story,  pages  145  and  146.)  Actually  the  prisoners  bur 
rowed  in  the  earth  like  wild  beasts,  or  be  exposed  to  the  fury 
of  rain  and  sun,  and  the  frosts  of  night.  Add  to  the  miseries 
of  the  situation  that  of  the  poor  medical  treatment,  combined  with 
the  horrors  of  starvation,  and  the  air  that  was  filled  with  pesti 
lence  and  death,  and  is  it  any  wonder  that  the  prisoners  died 
by  scores  and  hundreds  every  day.  During  one  week,  it  is  said, 
the  death-roll  numbered  thirteen  hundred  and  eighty  men. 

It  was  in  this  rebel  "hell"  that  eleven  members  of  the  Eight 
eenth  Connecticut  Volunteers  suffered  a  demoniacal  martyrdom. 

In  February,  1864,  Col.  Ely  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  officers 
made  their  escape  from  Libby  through  the  famous  tunnel,  on 
which  some  fifty-five  days  of  hard  work  were  spent,  and  the 
Richmond  Inquirer  thus  describes  this  ingenious  undertaking: 
"It  appears  that  the  tunnel  under  Twentieth  Street  was  dug  entire* 
ly  with  an  old  hinge,  and  the  loosened  earth — a  brittle  marl  and 
sand  -removed  with  an  old  sugar  scoop  stolen  from  the  hospital 
quarters.  As  the  tunnel  progressed,  the  miner  took  with  him, 
besides  his  tools,  an  old-fashi.oned  knapsack  made  upon  a  wooden 
frame,  to  which  a  cord  was  attached.  When  he  filled  this  with 
earth  it  was  drawn  out  by  an  accomplice  who  remained  in  the 
cellar.  The  contents  safely  deposited  out  of  the  way,  it  was 
then  shoved  back  to  the  digger  with  a  pole.  The  basement  in 
which  this  work  was  carried  on  was  kept  constantly  locked,  never 
used,  and  the  windows  being  tightly  nailed,  it  was  dark  as  pitch," 
H 


373  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


About  fifty  of  those  who  escaped,  including  Col.  Ely,  were 
recaptured,  and  had  to  pay  for  this  by  close  confinement  in  the 
underground  cells  of  Libby,  which  were  infested  with  rats,  and 
foul  with  a  dampness  that  dripped  from  the  walls.  Still  our 
boys  kept  up  a  brave  heart  during  their  long  and  exhausting  im 
prisonment. 

We  give  the  following  experience  of  Col.  Ely,  who  got  out  of 
Libby  by  means  of  the  tunnel  just  referred  to:  "Just  as  the  rebel 
guard  appeared  to  see  that  all  was  right  we  had  started  on  our 
slide,  feet  foremost,  through  a  hole  in  the  brick  chimney  into  the 
cellar  below.  Dropping  on  the  cellar  bottom,  we  crept  across  it 
in  the  dark,  found  the  opening  to  the  tunnel  occupied  by  the 
retiring  boots  of  another  aspirant  for  liberty.  As  we  were  rather 
stalwart  in  size,  hitching  along  three  inches  at  a  hitch,  was  the 
best  we  could  do.  It  was  all  elbow  work,  the  limited  area  of  the 
tunnel  not  admitting  any  use  of  the  legs.  Hitching  and  persever 
ance. brought  us  to  the  exit  of  the  tunnel.  Here  we  waited  with 
head  out  of  the  hole  (marmot  style),  took  a  survey  of  the  empty 
boxes  under  the  shed  that  once  had  been  filled  by  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission  supplies,  waited  for  our  comrade 
from  Willimantic.  with  whom  we  had  sworn  to  make  a  strike  for 
liberty.  We  waited  about  ten  minutes,  when  we  felt  a  pull  at 
our  leg,  and  speedily  emerging  from  the  tunnel  made  room  for 
Lieut.  Clifford,  of  Ohio.  Next  came  Quarter-master  -  — , 
from  New  York.  Through  the  cracks  of  the  shed  which  separated 
us  from  the  street  the  rebel  guard  could  be  plainly  seen  patroll 
ing  in  front  of  the  prison,  and  watching  it  closely.  It  was  not  a 
good  place  to  wait  even  for  sworn  friends,  and  the  ten  minutes 
seemed  like  ten  hours. 

"Here  we  quietly  took  off  our  shoes  and  walked  on  tip-toe  to 
the  corner  of  the  shed.  It  was  evident  that  we  must  pass  the 
width  of  the  shed  on  the  beat  of  .the  guard.  The  only  time  to 
do  it  was  when  he  was  walking  towards  the  prison.  It  was  done; 
and  safely  around  the  corner,  we  three  agreed  to  stand  by  each 


CONNECTICUT  VOL UNTEERS.  3 79 


other  till  we  reached  the  Union  lines.  If  ragged  uniforms  could 
have  disguised  us  we  were  well  disguised,  but  not  knowing  the 
city  we  ran  plump  on  to  a  rebel  guard  around  the  City  Hospital. 
'Halt!  who  goes  there?'  rang  like  a  death  knell  to  our  hopes  of 
freedom,  but  the  prompt  reply,  'None  of  your  business;  can't  a 
fellow  see  his  girl  without  being  halted?'  proved  a  pass-word, 
and  the  striking  up  of  'Dixie'  in  a  half-drunken  songster  style 
by  Clifford  disarmed  any  suspicion  that  the  sentinel  may  have 
had. 

"We  crossed  the  street  in  front  of  the  sentinel,  and  threaded 
our  way  to  the  outskirts  of  the  city  on  the  east  side.  Every 
house  was  dark,  and  the  streets  were  deserted.  When  fairly  out 
side  of  the  city  we  proceeded  with  great  caution,  but  found  our 
selves  close  upon  the  fortifications  before  we  were  aware  of 
it.  These  appeared  to  be  unoccupied,  and  further  observation 
showed  us  that  this  was  even  the  case.  A  single  man  with  a 
handful  of  files  might  have  spiked  forty  or  fifty  pieces  of  artillery. 
Peering  over  the  parapet,  the  faint  glow  of  camp-fires  revealed 
long  lines  of  stacked  muskets  and  rows  of  tents.  Dusky  forms 
could  be  seen  grouped  around  fires  farther  distant,  that  were 
supposed  to  be  reserved  picket  fires.  Several  spots  were  tried 
before  we  succeeded  in  finding  a  gap  in  the  picket  lines.  We 
soon  found  one  that  promised  to  be  a  good  outlet,  and  pushed 
through  without  disturbing  the  sentinels,  who  could  be  plainly 
seen  counteracting  the  chill  of  a  frosty  night  by  the  warmth  of  a 
tew  embers. 

"We  were  hardly  outside  of  the  picket  lines,  well  under  way 
putting  as  much  distance  between  us  and  the  City  of  Richmond 
as  possible  before  dawn,  when  the  sudden  neighing  of  a  horse 
brought  us  to  a  stand,  and  not  a  second  too  soon,  for  careful 
examination  showed  that  a  large  cavalry  picket  was  dead  ahead. 
The  cavalry  picket  proved  more  easily  evaded  than  the  pickets 
just  passed,  so  on  we  pushed,  through  woods,  and  over  brooks, 
sometimes  floundering  in  the  cold  water  up  to  our  arm-pits.  The 


3$o  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


night  was  cold,  but  exercise  and  excitment  kept  us  warm.  The 
increasing  light  of  early  dawn  warned  us  that  it  was  time  to  seek 
a  hiding-place  for  the  day.  The  spot  selected  was  a  bushy  hill 
side  covered  with  scrub  oaks.  Here  we  sat  down  to  rest  and 
wait  for  the  night. 

4<Col.  Ely  now  found  to  his  astonishment  that  he  was  the  only 
one  of  the  party  who  had  any  provisions.  A  boiled  tongue, 
shoveled  and  mouldy,  three  months'  old,  kept  in  anticipation  of 
this  emergency,  with  eighteen  soda  crackers,  comprised  the  entire 
stock  of  provisions,  which  was  divided  into  three  equal  lots.  A 
light  breakfast  was  eaten,  and  by  turns  two  slept,  while  the  third 
kept  watch.  Our  hiding-place  proved  well  selected,  overlooking  a 
road  a  half-mile  distant.  Twice  during  the  day  a  company  of 
rebel  cavalry  passed  by,  also  several  foot  soldiers.  Unable  to  light 
a  fire  from  fear  of  attracting  attention,  we  suffered  greatly  with 
the  cold.  At  night  the  march  was  resumed. 

"Keeping  the  North  Star  in  view  as  a  point  for  reference,  we 
aimed  in  the  direction  of  Charles  City  Court  House.  The  second 
night  was  much  like  the  first,  with  fewer  indications  of  the  enemy. 
The  next  morning's  breakfast  finished  all  that  was  left  of  the 
tongue  and  soda  crackers,  but  failed  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  our 
hunger.  Our  refuge  the  second  day  was  a  large  swamp.  Want 
of  sleep,  want  of  food,  as  well  as  suffering  from  the  cold  began 
to  tell  on  systems  already  debilitated  by  long  imprisonment.  A 
search  was  made  for  acorns  to  eat;  but  it  was  evident  that  the 
acorn  crop  had  been  disposed  of  earlier  in  the  winter  by  the 
squirrels  and  turkies.  The  latter  were  frequently  seen,  but  showed 
great  lack  of  confidence  in  us  refugees,  who  looked  at  them  with 
longing  eyes,  and  wished  in  vain  for  a  shot-gun  or  rifle.  The 
swamp  seemed  sufficiently  unfrequented,  dark,  and  dense  to  give 
a  feeling  of  security  from  cavalry  and  infantry.  At  night  the 
march  was  resumed,  and  as  we  knew  that  we  had  already  left 
Bottom's  Bridge  in  the  rear  we  confidently  anticipated  being 
within  the  lines  of  General  Butler's  corps  the  next  morning. 


CONNECT/CUT  VOLUNTEERS.  381 


"The  third  night's  march  was  one  of  great  suffering  and  faint- 
ness  from  hunger.  The  New  York  Quarter-master  showed  signs 
of  extreme  weakness,  and  retarded  the  march  of  the  other  two 
greatly.  The  last  two  hours  of  the  night  was  over  mostly  open 
country,  and  the  gray  of  dawn  found  us  wearily  struggling  through 
a  thinly  wooded  tract  of  timber.  We  much  disliked  the  appear 
ance  of  a  lonely  house  three-quarters  of  a  mile  distant, — there 
was  no  shelter  where  we  were,  and  we  pushed  on  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  hoping  to  reach  what  seemed  to  be  a.  dense  swamp 
about  a  mile  ahead,  and  expecting  there  to  find  a  secure  hiding- 
place,  from  which  we  could  watch  for  the  blue  coats  of  Uncle 
Sam's  cavalry. 

"Just  now  the  sound  of  cavalry  was  heard  in  our  rear,  but  it 
came  from  the  wrong  direction.  Only  a  half  a  mile  to  the  swamp, 
and  no  place  to  hide  even  a  man's  head  till  it  was  reached.  So 
on  we  pushed,  the  quarter-master  falling  behind  from  exhaustion. 
The  sound  of  horsemen  came  nearer  and  a  triumphant  yell 
announced  that  the  quarter-master  was  again  in  the  hands  of  the 
rebels.  We  had  succeeded  in  getting  out  of  the  timber,  and  were 
going  down  the  hill-side  for  the  swamp,  going  at  a  lively  pace, 
too.  Soon  we  heard  shouts  of,  'Halt!'  but  heeded  them  not. 
Crack!  crack!  crack!  crack!  went  the  carbines  till  there  was  a 
rattling  fire,  nearer  and  nearer  sounded  the  horses'  feet,  till  these 
seemed  more  fearful  than  the  fusilade  and  whistling  of  bullets. 
Only  one  hundred  yards,  and  horses  would  not  have  been  able  to 
follow!  Another  yell,  and  Clifford  was  taken.  A  horseman  dashed 
by  us,  sprang  from  his  saddle,  and  intercepted  us  with  a  Colt's 
navy  pistol  leveled  at  our  head. 

"Libby  prison  loomed  up  again!  The  captured  were  gathered 
together,  three  in  number,  in  company  with  our  pursuers,  who 
were  Major  Robertson's  cavalry,  forty  in  number. 

"  'I  say,  Yank,  ain't  •  you  hit?'  was  a  frequent  inquiry.  And 
4No;  wish  1  had  been,'  the  sullen  reply.  And  some  laughing  was 
done  at  the  expense  of  the  crack  shots  of  the  company  by  their 


382  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


comrades.  A  proposition  was  made  to  us  by  the  sergeant  of  the 
company:  'Say!  You  tell  the  major  that  I  did  the  right  smart 
thing  in  overhauling  you,  and  you  shall  have  a  good  breakfast.' 
The  proposition  was  accepted,  and  we  breakfasted  with  Major 
Robertson,  and  received  handsome  treatment  that  day.  We 
now  learned,  much  to  our  chagrin,  that  we  were  captured  on 
ground  held  by  Gen.  Butler's  command  forty-eight  hours 
previously,  and  were  several  miles  above  Charles  City  Court 
House. 

"The  next  morning  we  were  turned  over  to  the  home  cavalry 
guard,  a  mean,  cruel  set  of  devils,  who  marched  us  till  noon,  and 
then  turned  us  over  to  a  relief,  who  marched  us  to  the  doors  of 
Libby  Prison,  forty  miles  in  one  day. 

"Dick  Turner,  jailor,  smiled  grimly  upon  us,  and  ordered  us  to 
the  cells  below,  and  put  us  on  a  diet  of  corn  bread  and  water, 
Below,  we  found  companions, — forty  men,  stowed  away  in  four 
cells,  seven  feet  by  twelve  feet  each, — many  of  whom,  like  our 
trio,  had  the  entire  soles  of  their  feet  blistered  in  the  attempt  to 
escape.  Ten  men  were  confined  for  three  weeks  in  a  cell  seven 
feet  by  twelve,  with  not  room  for  them  all  to  lie  down  at  once, 
and  when  they  did  lie  down  wharf  rats  and  vermin  were  too  plenty 
to  permit  rest." 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  383 


ROLL    OF    HONOR, 


Casualties  at  battle  of  Winchester,  Va.,  June   1,3th,  i4th  and 
1 5th,  1863. 

KILLED. 

Jas.  McCracken,  prv.  Co.  A  Thomas  F.  Jones,  pri.,  Co.  A 

Thomas  Simmons,  pri.,  Co.  B.  James   Daggett,  prv.  Co.  B 

Asher  D.  Holmes,  prv.  Co.  C  Chas.  C.  Noyes,  prv.  Co.  C 

A.  D.  Woodmancy,  prv.  Co.  C  H.    H.  McCracken,  prv.  Co.  E 

Edward  L.  Porter,  capt.  Co.  F  Charles   Baldwin,  prv.  Co.   F 

Albert  Burnett,  prv.  Co.  F  W.  O.  Parsons,  sergt,  Co.  G 

Stephen  H.  Oatley,  prv.  Co.  G  George  W.  Pickett,  prv.  Co.  G 

Wallace  Smith,  prv.  Co.  G  George  E.  Howard,  prv.  Co.  G 

Earle  Ashley,  prv.  Co.  H  Charles  A.  Barber,  prv.  Co.  H 

A.  M.  Dillaber,  prv.  Co.  H  Alfred  E.  Tracy.prv.  Co.  H 

Anson  A.  Fenton,  prv.   Co.  H  Daniel  G.  Bennett,  prv.  Co.  K 

Robert  Sharkey,  prv.  Co.  K 

WOUNDED. 

J.  D.  Ripley.  non-com,   staff  S.  D.  Wordcn,  corp.  Co.  A 

John  Crawford,  prv.  Co.  A  Michael  Hanly,  prv.  Co.  A 

Islay  B.  Martin,  prv.  Co.  A  D.  B.  Sullivan,  prv.  Co.  A 

Albert  H.  Pitcher,  prv.  Co.  A  N.  C.  Thompson,  prv.  Co.  A 

Thos.  K.  Bates,  capt.  Co.   B  Richard  Frazier,  prv.  Co.  B 

David  M.  Colvin,  prv.  Co.  B  S.  T.  C.  Merwin,  lieut.  Co.  C. 

C.  F.  Keables,  prv.  Co.  C  B.  M.  Upham,  prv.,  Co.  C 

Geo.  Bromley,  prv.  Co.  C  A.  J.  Comstock,  prv.  Co.  E 


384  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


A.  G.  Franklin,  prv.  Co.  H  B.  Fitzpatrick,  prv.  Co.  E 

M.  Tourtelotte,  prv.  Co.  E  Thos.  E.  DeWolf,  prv.   Co.  E 

G.  H.  Crawford,  prv.  Co.  E  Silas  J.  Alger,  prv.  Co.  E 

Geo.  W.    Blake,  corp.  Co.  F  Daniel  B.  Church,  prv.  Co.  F 

Daniel  A.  Botham,  prv.  Co.  F  Edwin  S.  Tabor,  corp.  Co.  G 

Geo.  W.  Warner,  capt.  Co.  G  James  Stone,  prv.  Co.  G 

Peter  Bercune,  prv.  Co.  G  Wm.  Caruthers,  lieut.   Co.  H 

Chas.  D.  Bowen,  capt.  Co.  H  F.  S.  Harrington,  prv.  Co.  H 

Joseph  Metcalf,  prv.  Co.  H  Geo.  H.  Wilber,  prv.  Co.  H 

Emery  D.  Rogers,  prv.  Co.  H  Geo.  D.  Harris,  prv.  Co.  H 

Wm,  J.  Whiteside,  corp.  Co.  H  George  R.  Bliven,  prv.  Co.  H 

Wm.  H.  Miller,  prv.,  Co.  H  Chas.  H.  Richardson,  prv.  Co.  I 

J.  O,  Lathrop,  prv.  Co.  I  Almond  Bartlett,  corp.  Co.  K 

Leonard  Bowen,  prv.  Co.  K  D.  P.  Jordan,  prv.  Co.  K 
Charles  Young,  prv.  Co.  K. 

Casualties  at  battle  of  New  Market,   May   i5th,    1864. 

KILLED. 

Wm.  L.  Spaulding,  capt.  Co.  B    William  H.  Hall,  prv.  Co.  H 

WOUNDED. 

Lewis  Hovey,  sergt.  Co.  A.  Joseph  Hancock,  prv.  Co.  A 

Erastus  Baker,  prv.  Co.  A  John  S.  Greene,  prv.  Co.  A 

S.  K.  Spalding,  prv.  Co.  B  Chas.  W.  Smith,  prv.  Co.  B 

L.  Hauerwas,  prv.  Co.  C  Charles  M.  Avery,  prv.  Co.  C 

B.  B.  Brown,  prv.  Co.  C  Martin   Cryne,  prv.  Co.  C 
James  Curley,  prv.  Co.  C  Frank  H.  Gordon,  prv.  Co.  C 
Lemuel  A.  Manning,  prv.  Co.  C   E.   Washburn,  prv.  Co.  C 

F.  M.  Truman,  prv.  Co.  C  Wm.  H.  Withey,  prv.  Co.  C 

Elisha  R.  Potter,  prv.  Co.  C.  J.  Mathewson,  capt.  Co.  D 

Thos.  J.  Aldrich,  sergt.  Co.  D  F.  H.  Converse,  corp.  Co.  D 

Joseph  Heath,  prv.  Co.  D  Edward  P.  Ryan,   prv.  Co.  D 

Warren  A.  Burgess,  prv.  Co.  D  Patrick  Clark,  prv.  Co.  1) 

J.  W.  Robinson,  prv.  Co.  D.  C.  J.  Williams,  corp.  Co.  E 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  385 


B.  W.  Taft,  prv.  Co.  E  James  Mussey,  prv.  Co.  E 
W.  G.  Hay  ward,  prv.  Co.  E  C.  A.  Jillson,  prv.  Co.  E 
Frank  Reed.  prv.  Co.  G  Josiah  W.  Whitney,  prv.   Co.  G 
G.  W.  Underwood,  prv.  Co.  G  Tracy  Rogers,  corp,  Co.  G 
William  Lewis,  prv.  Co.  H  Eben  R.  Eaton,  prv.  Co.  H 
Patrick  Heverin,  prv.  Co.  H  Chas.  U.  Brooks,  prv.  Co.  H. 
Joseph  Abby,  prv.  Co.  H  John  E.  Gager,  prv.  Co.  H 

A.  D.  Wilber,  prv.  Co.  H  Joseph  Golding,  prv.  Co.  H 
Win.  Caruthers,  lieut.  Co.  H. 

Casualties  at  battle  of   Piedmont,  Va.,  June  5th,  1864. 

KILLED. 

E.  B.  Culver,  adjutant  John  S.  Greene,  prv.  Co.  A 

J.  T.  Burnham,  prv.  Co.  C  Wm.  H.  Hamilton,  prv.   Co.  C 

Chas.  T.  Fanning,  prv.  Co.  C  W.  H.  Paine,  sergt.  Co.  D 

Wm.  L.  Adams,  corp.  Co.  D  Joseph  P.  Adams,  prv.  Co.  D 

Thos.  D.  Cooper,  prv.  Co.  D  Edwin  F.  Johnson,  prv.  Co.  D 

Isaiah  Leonard,  prv.  Co.  D  John   T.  Maginnis,  lieut.  Co.  E 

Albert  G.  Franklin,  prv.  Co.  E  Hiram  D.  Rose,  prv.  Co.  E 

J.  T.  Bradley,  corp.  Co.  F  J.  M.  Weeks,  prv.  Co.  F 

Thos.  McMahon,  prv.  Co.  F  C.  F.  Sheridan,  prv.  Co.  F 

John  B.  Scott,  sergt.  Co.  G  Jabez  H.  Bogue,  prv.  Co.  I 
Jerome  Cahoone,  sergt.  Co.  K. 

WOUNDED. 

Henry  C.  Gaskell,  corp.  Co.  A  George  S.  Town,  prv.  Co.  A 

Wm.  H.  Johnson,  prv.  Co.  A  Stephen  H.  Spencer,  prv.  Co.  A 

Henry  F.  Paine,  corp.  Co.  B  Charles  Campbell,  prv.  Co.  B 

Martin  Cragan,  prv.  Co.  B  E.  S.  Hinckley,  lieut.  Co.  C 

C.  C.  Chappell,  sergt.  Co.  C  S.  Downer,  color  sergt.  Co.  C 
Joel  Cary,  corp.  Co.  C  A.  P.  Durfee,  corp.  Co.  C 
Calvin  Bramble,  prv.  Co.  C  C.  H.  Ellsworth,  prv.  Co.  C 
S.  H.  Freeman,  corp.  Co.  C  A    E.  Gates,  prv.  Co.  C 

C.  C.  Lee,  prv.  Co.  C  Lemuel  A.  Manning,  prv.  Co.  C 


386 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Walter  H.  Muzzy,  prv.  Co.  C 
J.  A.  Tilclen,  prv.  Co  C 
J.  E.  York,  prv.  Co.  C 
John  R.  Carter,  corp.  Co.  D 
E.  F.  Bickford,  corp.  Co.  I). 
James  F.  Buckley,  prv.  Co.  D 
Otis  Brown,  prv.  Co.  D. 
Oscar  Coman,  prv.  Co   I) 
Wm    P.  Johnson,  prv.  Co.  D 
Paris  H.  Aldrich,  prv.  Co.  D 
Charles  E.  Bates,  prv.  Co.  D 
Michael  Clark,  prv.  Co.  D 
S.  J.  Alger,  prv.  Co.  E   • 
John  Johnson,  prv.  Co.  E 
Hiram  Snow,  prv.  Co.  E 

E.  T.  Albertine,  prv.  Co    E 
James  Kelliher,  prv.  Co.  E 
S.  B.  West,  prv.  Co.  E 
Geo.  W.  Kegwin,  prv.  Co.  E 
Charles  H.  Carroll,  sergt.  Co.  F 
Henry  Appleton,  corp.  Co.  F 

F.  R.  Greene,  prv.  Co.  F 
John  Valentine,  prv.  Co.  F 
Charles  L.  Humes,  prv.  Co.  F 
James  Nugent,  prv.  Co.  F 

S.  H.  Gallup,  corp,  Co.  G 
Peter  Gerue,  prv.  Co.  G 
Albert  Hiscox,  prv.  Co.  G 
Ichabod  C.  Davis,  prv.  Co.  G 
S.  Comins,  color  sergt.  Co  H 
M.  V.  B.  Farnham,  prv.  Co.  H 
William  B.  Brown,  prv.  Co.  H 
James  Carney,  prv.  Co.  H 
Alonzo  Welclon,  prv.  Co.  H 


F.  W.  Taylor,  prv.  Co.  C 
Aaron  Wolfe,  prv.  Co.  C 
Nelson  P.   Lord,  prv.  Co.  C 
Chas.  R.  Conant,  corp.  Co.  D 
Lyman    M.  Aldrich,  prv.  Co.  D 
Chas.  E.  Bray  ton,  prv.  Co.  D 
Joel  T.  Converse,   prv.  Co.  D 
David  C.  Fox,  prv.  Co.  1) 
Edward  P.  Ryan,  prv.  Co.  D 
Thomas  Cooper,  prv.  Co.  D 
Luther  White,  prv.  Co.  D 
John    L.  Coman,  prv.  Co.  D 
C.  A.  Beck  with,  prv.  Co.  E 
Charles  Lewis,  prv.  Co.  E 
Geo.  Parkinson,  prv.  Co.  E 
John   Fogtmar,  prv.  Co.  E 
John  McKusker,  prv.  Co.  E 
John  WTeller,  prv.  Co.  E 
C.  D.  Hartsgrove,   prv.  Co.  E 
Charles  T.  Thurber,  corp.  Co.  F 
Wm.  L.  Davis,  prv.  Co.  F 
Roswell   Butler,  prv.  Co.  F 
Geo.  Carroll,  prv.  Co.  F 
Charles  T.  Setchell,  prv.  Co.  F 
J.  P.  Rockwell,  Kent.  Co.  G 
James  E.  Tripp,  corp.  Co.  G 
Samuel  C.  Ockery,  prv.  Co.  G 
Hiram   Smith,  prv.  Co.  G 
William  Caruthers,  lieut.  Co.  H 
James  K.  Brown,  prv.  Co.  H 
Dennis  Sullivan,  prv.  Co.  H 
Wm.  W.  Griggs,  prv.  Co.  H 
Daniel   K.  Sweet,  prv.  Co.  H 
N.  W.  Bennett,  prv.  Co.  H 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  387 

John  Lilley,  lieut.  Co.  I  Henry  D.  Gleason,  corp.  Co.  I 

S.  P.  Keppler,  corp.  Co.  F  Linneaus  Wild,  corp.  Co,  I 

Isaac  Roath,  corp.  Co.  I  Jas.  K.  Benjamin,  prv.  Co.  I 
Joseph  O.  Lathrop,  prv.  Co.   I      Wm.  J.  S.  Thornhill,  prv.  Co.  I 

D.  N.  Williams,  prv.  Co.  I  Adam  Oechler,  prv.  Co.  I 

S.  P.  Miner,  prv.  Co.  I  Palmer  S.  Greene,  prv.  Co.  I 

Owen  McShean,  prv.  Co.  I  John  A.  Wilbur,  prv.  Co.  I 

A.  M.  Holmes,  prv.  Co.  I  John  Taylor,  prv.  Co.  I 

W.  H.  Albee,  prv.  Co.  I  Joseph  D.  Hall,  sergt.  Co.  K 
Davis  U.  Handy,  corp.  Co.  K       John   Glinn,  corp.  Co.  K 

R.  D.  Curtis,  prv.  Co.  K  David   D.  Lathrop,  prv.  Co.  K 

Levi  Short,  prv.  Co.  K  W.  H.  Newel,  prv.  Co.  K 

Almanzo  M.  Smith,  prv.  K  Chas.  (3.  Penery,  prv.  Co.  K 

Casualties  at  battle  of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  June  i8th,  1864. 

WOUNDED. 

William  G.  Ely,  colonel  Samuel  J.  Lee,  sergt.  Co.  A 

Wm.  C.  Mitchell,  prv.  Co.  A  Daniel  Carney,  prv.   Co.  A 

Edwin  R.  Wood,  prv.  Co.  B  Albert  Hibbard,  prv.  Co.  B 

Dennis  D.  Mahony,  prv.  Co.  F  C.  A.  Tourtelotte,  sergt.  Co.  H 

Amos  G.  Crandall,  prv.  Co.  H  Thomas  Conner,  prv.  Co.  H 

Otis  S.  Wade,  prv.  Co.  K  Edwin  Spalding,  prv.  Co.  I. 

Casualties  at  battle  of  Snicker's  Ford,  July  i8th,  1864. 

KILLED. 

G.  B.  Hartford,  corp.  Co.  A  John  Delany,  prv.  Co.  A 

Thos.  J.  Aldrich,  prv.  Co.  D         M.  J.  Weeks,  prv.  Co.  G 
John  Carney,  prv.  Co.  H  James  M.  Smith,  prv.  Co.  K 

WOUNDED. 

James  Dewing,  prv.  Co.  A  Daniel    H.  Johnson,   prv.  Co.  A 

Elmer  D.  Cook,  prv.  Co.  B  C.  M.  Greene,  prv.  Co.  B 

Geo.  E.  Comins,  sergt    Co.  C        R.  Corey,  prv.  Co.  C 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Joseph  Mathewson,  capt.  Co.  D  F.  G.  Bixby,  lieut.  Co.  D 

Nathan  Chase,  prv.  Co.  D  Patrick  Clark,  prv.  Co.  D 

Thos.  J.  Leonard,  prv.  Co.  D  Geo.  C.  Johnson,   prv.  Co.  D 

N.  G.  Gardner,  prv.  Co.  E  John  Jones,  prv.  Co.  E 

Orrin  Cook,  prv.  Co.  F  Wm.  W.  Comins,  prv.  Co.  G 

John  H.  Wilcox,  prv.  Co.  G  Henry  G.  Tracy,  prv.  Co.  H 

Joseph  A.  Tracy,  mus.  Co.  H  E.  W.  Bingham,  prv.  Co.  H 

Joseph  Kenworthy,  prv.  Co.  H  M.  V.  B.  Tiffany,  capt.  Co.  I 

Geo.  S.  Cogswell,  sergt.  Co.  I  Chas.  S.  Miller,  prv.  Co.  I 

O.  W.  Champlin,  prv.  Co.  K  Thos.  T.  Bates,  prv.  Co.  K 

Casualties  at  battle  of  Winchester,  July  24th,  1864. 

WOUNDED. 

A.  J.  Huntington,  corp.  Co.  A       Andrew  Bishop,  prv.  Co.  A 
Wm.  C.  Hillard,  sergt.  Co.  E         L.  H.  Newcomb,  prv.  Co.  H 
J.  S.  Colburn,  prv.  Co.  H  Wm.  H.  Boyclen,   corp.  Co.  H 

Thos.  D.  Spencer,  sergt.  Co.  H 

Casualties  at  battle  of  Berry ville,  September  3d,  1864. 

WOUNDED. 

John  Lilley,  lieut.  Co.  I  John  F.  Corey,  prv.  Co.  I 

Died  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

Prv.  Andrew  Bishop,  Company  A. 

Prv.  Albert  Hibbard,  Company  B,  November  i8th,  1864. 
Sergt.  Sylvanus  Downer,  Company  C,  November  5th,  186^. 
Prv.  Gilbert  H.  Gott,  Company  C,  August  3oth,  1864. 
Prv.  George  W.  Ward,  Company  C,  February  6th,   1865. 
Prv.  Joseph  H.  Winship,  Company  C,    November  5th,  1864. 
Prv.  Joseph  W.  Robinson,  Company  D,  September  2gth,  1864. 
Corp.  Chauncey  J.  Williams,  Company  E,  August  i8th,  1864. 
Prv.  William  G.  Hayward,  Company  E,  September  i  ith,  1864. 
Prv.  Nathaniel  W.  Bennett,  Company  H,  October  i3th,  1864. 
Prv.  Linus  C.  Short,  Company  K,  September  7th,  1864. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  389 


Died  at  Florence,  S.  C. 

Prv.  George  W.  Dodge,  Company  D,  October  iith,  1864, 
Prv.  Chas.  A.  Jillson,  Company  E,  December  5th,  1864. 
Prv.  James  Massey,  Company  E,  January  yth,  1865. 
Prv.  Israel  Varney,  Company  E,  February  loth,  1865. 
Prv.  W.  W.  Adams,  Company  G,  November    I5th,  1864. 
Prv.  Geo.  W.  Underwood,  Company  G,   January  27th,  1865. 
Prv.  John  F.  Gager,  Company  H,  February  i5th,  1865. 

Died  at  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Prv.  William  H.  Pike,  Company  B,  September  26th,  1864. 
Prv.  Joseph  Golding,  Company  H,  October  iith,  1864. 
Prv.  William  Lewis,  Company  H,  September  jth,  1864. 

Died  at   Danville,  Va. 

Prv.  Henry  C.  Gaskill,  Company  A,  February  2oth,  1865. 
Prv.  Jonathan  S.  Colburn,  Company  H,  February  i5th,  1865. 
Prv.  Lucius  H.  Newcomb,  Company   H,  February  i3th,  1865. 

Died  at  Winchester,  Va. 

Prv.  J.  Crawford,  Company  A,  of  wounds,  July  2d,  1863. 
Prv.  Islay  B.  Martin,  Company  A,  of  wounds,  July  2d,  1863. 
Prv.  N.  C.  Thompson,  Company  A,  of  wounds,  June  3Oth,  1863. 

Died  at  Staunton,  Va. 

Prv.  A.  E.  Gates,  Company  C,  of  wounds,  June  loth,  1864. 
Corp.  John  R.  Carter,   Company  D,  of  wounds,  July  roth,  1864. 
Corp.  Chas.  R.  Conant,  Company  D,  of  wounds,  June  26th,  1864. 
Prv.  C.  A.  Beckwith,  Company  E,  of  wounds,  August  4th,  1864. 
Prv.  John  H.  Wilcox,  Company  G,  of  wounds,  July  loth,  1864. 
Prv.  W.  W.  Griggs,  Company  H,  of  wounds,  June  i5th,  1864. 
Prv.  S.  P.  Miner,  Company  I,  of  wounds,  June  3Oth,  1865. 
Prv.  Levi  M.  Short,  Company  K,  of  wounds,  June  3oth,  1864. 


3QO  E1GH  TEE  NTH  REGIMENT 

Died  at   Lynchburg,  Va. 

Sergt.  C.  A.  Tourtellotte,  Company  H,  of  wounds,  Aug.  15,  1864. 
Corp.  H.  D.  Gleason,  Company  I,  of  wounds. 

Prv.  Charles  Haskell,  Company  H,  died  February  iQth,  1865,  at 

Saulisbury,  N.  C. 
Prv.  Adam  Acksler,  Company  I,  died  October  5th,  1864,  at 

Madisonviile,  Ga. 
Corp.  Charles  Bartlett,  Company  K,  died  February  2oth,  1864, 

at  Richmond,  Va. 

Died  while  in   service. 
Company  A. 

Prv.  Horatio  Burdick,  October  igth,  1862,  P'ort  McHenry. 
Prv.  PZlias  H,  Chapman,  July  3<Dth,   1863,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Prv.  Wm.  H.  Town,  March  28th,  1864,  Sandy  Hook,   Md. 

Company    B 

Corp.  Henry  F.  Paine,  August  loth,  1864. 

Prv.  John  Q.  Adams,  May,  1864,   Martinsburg,  Va. 

Prv.  Lorenzo  H.  Buck,  December  28th,   1863,  Martinsburg,  Va. 

Prv.  David  Green,  June  2oth,   1863,  Balto,  Md. 

Prv.  Hazel  E.  Mathewson,  December  i  ith,  1864.  Annapolis,  Md. 

Prv.  William  Roy,  October  27th,  1864,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Company  C. 

Prv.  Lucius  G.  Pember,  December  2/th,  1864,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Prv.  John  Schalk,  August  i6th,  1863. 

Prv.  Francis  W.  Taylor,  March    28th,  1865,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Prv.  Patrick  McNamara,  January    iqth,  1^65. 

Company   D. 

Prv.  John  Lummis,  November,    1864. 

Prv.  Peter  Randall,  March  loth,    1865,  Thompson,  Ct. 

Prv.  Luther  White,  March  i4th,  1865. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  391 


Company   E. 

Prv.  Nathaniel  S.  Carr,  May  25th,  1864,  New  Haven,  Ct. 

Corp.  Stephen  A.  Franklin,  August  2Oth,   1864,  Sandy  Hook,  Md 

Prv.  Wallace  Fox,  February  2d,  1864,  Martinsburg,  Va. 

Prv.    Thomas  Kinrey,  May  ist,   1864.  New  Haven,  Ct. 

Prv.  Julius  J.  Rood,  February  3d,  1864,  Martinsburg,  Va. 

Prv.  George  W.  Tarbox,  August  roth,  1864,  Cumberland,  Md. 

Company   F. 

Corp.  J.  Forestner,  August  gth,  1863,  Camp  Parole,  Md. 
Prv.  Alfred  S.  Chappell,  September  i  7th,  1863,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Prv.  Wm.   II.  Campbell,  September  loth,  1863,  Camp  Parole,  Md, 
Prv.  George  W.  Fox,  April  J  7th,  1865,  Martinsburg,  Va. 
Prv.  Nathan  B.  Green,  February  4th,   1864,    Martinsburg,  Va. 
Prv.    Daniel   Wilbur,   Company  E,   killed  January  5th,    1863,  at 
Flarewood,  Md. 

Company  G. 

Corp.  C.  A.  Bosworth,  December  27th,  1862,  Camp  Emory,  Md. 
Corp.  Samuel  L.  Marcy,  July  i5th,    1863,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Corp.  Edwin  S.  Tabor,  August   22d,  1863,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Prv.  Asa  H.  Bund),  February  6th,  1863,  Balto,  Md. 
Prv.   John    Morrison,   missing  in   action   May  i5th,    1864.      Sup 
posed  to   be  dead. 
Prv.  Stiles  Rawson,  December  3d,  1862,  Camp  in  Md. 

Company    H. 

Corp.  Seth  H.  Chapman,  September  i  7th,  1863,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Musician  Jos.  A.  Tracy,   of  wounds,  August  7th,  1864. 

Prv.  Russell  W.  Adams,  August  8th,   1863,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Prv.  Henry  Apley,  January  Qth,  1864,   Annapolis,  Md. 

Prv.  Iznart  P.  Cushman,  April  7th,  1863,    Balto,  Md. 

Prv.  Franklin  E.  Gurley,  October  17,  1864,  Cumberland,  Md. 

Prv.  Alfred  A.  Snell,  August  25th,  1863,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Prv.  Lester  C.  Smith,  July  26th,    1864,  Martinsburg;,  Va. 


392  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Prv.  Edwin  Thomas,  June  4th.  1863,   Willimantic,  Ct. 

Prv.  Amariah  D.  Wilbur,  May  3d,  1865,  Wilmington,  N.  C. 

Prv.  Laughlin  Brady,  July  28th,  1864. 

Prv.  George  S.  Hayes,  October  27th,  1863,   Martinsburg,  Va. 

Company  I. 

Prv.  Chas.  H.  Beckwith,  December  ist,   1862,  Norwich,  Ct. 
Prv.  Martin  Carl,  September  25th,  1864,    Sanely   Hook,  Md. 
Prv.  John  P.  Herrick,  January  26th,  1864,  Martinsburg,  Va. 

Company  K. 

Prv.  Oliver  B.  Burnham,   of  wounds,  February    i2th,  1864,  Mar 
tinsburg,  Va. 

Prv.  John  Penry,  November  28th,  1862.  Havre  de  Grace,   Md. 
Sergt.  W.  Young,  killed  January  6th,  1863,  Havre  de  Grace,  Md. 

Unassigned  recruit. 
Prv.  George  F.  Avery,  March   7th,  1864,  West  Haven,  Ct. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


393 


ORIGINAL  ROSTER  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 


FIELD   AND    STAFF. 


Name  and  Rank. 

Colonel. 
WILLIAM  G.  ELY 

Lieut.  Colonel. 
MONROE  NICHOLS 

Major. 
EPHRAIM  KEECH,  Jr. 

Adjutant. 

EDWARD  L.  PORTER 
Quarter-master. 
DWIGHT  W.  HAKES 

Surgeon. 
CHARLES  M.  CARLETON 

\st  As st.  Surgeon. 
JOSIAH  V.  HARRINGTON 

2ii  As  st.  Surgeon. 
HENRY  W.  HOUGH 

Chaplain. 
VARNUM  A.  COOPER 

Sergt.  Major. 
Joseph  P.  Rockwell 
Q.  M.  Sergeant. 
William  Caruthers 

Com.  Sergeant. 
Henry  Hovey 

Hosp.  Steward. 
J.  D.  Ripley 

50 


Residence.     Date  Muster  Remarks. 

1862. 

July  24    Wd.    Discharged  Sept.  18  '64. 


Norwich 
Thompson 
Killingly 
N.  London 

Norwich 
« 

Sterling 
Putnam 
N.  London 
Norwich 


Aug.  8     Resigned  April  26  '64. 
Aug.  8  disability,  May  20  '63. 

Aug.   4     Pro.  Capt.  Killed  Win.  June  15 '63. 
Aug.  4     Disc,  for  promotion  April  13  '65. 
Aug.  6     Resigned,  disability,  April  17  '63. 
Aug.  ii   Died  Dec    i  '64,  Sterling,  Ct. 
Sept.  20  Resigned  March  6  '63 
Aug.  27  "      4  '63 

July  26    Wd.   Pr.  Capt.    M.  O.  June  27  '65 
July  14    Wd.  Pr.  istLt.  "     27  '65 

Aug.  4     M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
July  16  "     27  '65, 


it  it 


394 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


COMPANY  A. 


Name  and  Rank. 

Captain. 
HENRY  C.  DAVIS 

ist  Lieutenant. 
ADAM  H.  LINDSLEY 

2d  Lieutenant. 
JAMES  D.  HIGGINS 

Sergeants. 
Robert  Kerr 
David  Torrance 
George  S.  Town 
Samuel  ].  Lee 
Lewis  Hovey 

Corporals. 

George  B.  Marshall 
Gabriel  H.  Hartford 
Asa  Dillaby 
William  J.  Ross 
Alfred  J.  Huntington 
Benjamin  F.  Jaques 
Lyman  Frisbie 
George  C.  Setchell 
Musicians. 
Alex.  R.  Cochran 
Andrew  F.  Whiting 

Wagoner. 
William  H.  Burdick 

Privates. 
Adams,  Milan  W. 
Adams,  William  N. 
Avery,  Edwin  P. 
Button,  Guy  D. 
Bishop,  Andrew 
Brand,  Lewis 
Burdick,  Horatio 
Brady,  Patrick 
Burdick,  Samuel 
Byron,  James 
Bennett,  Ebenezer  S. 


Residence.     Date  Muster.  Remarks. 

1862. 
Norwich        Aug.  8     Hon.  discharged  April  25  '65. 


Aug.  8 
Aug.  2 


17  '65. 

Oct.  27  '64. 


Scotland 


July  18  Pr.  ist  Lt.  M.  O.  2d  Lt.  June  27  '65. 

July  17  Dis.  Ap.  Capt.  2Qth  C.V.  Dec.  25*63 

July  21  Wd.  June  5  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65. 

Aug.  2  18  '64.       "         "     27  '65. 

July  26  Wd.  May  15  '64.     "         "     27  '65. 


Norwich        July  29 
Canterbury  July  18 
Norwich        July  18 
July  23 
July  22 
July  22 
Aug.  4 
Aug.  2 


Bozrah 
Norwich 


M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Killed  July  18  '64,  Snicker's  Ford. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Disc,  for  app.  in  C.  T.  Jan.  21  '64 
Wd.  July  24  '64,  M.  O.  May  23  '65. 
M.  O,  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"        "     27  '65, 

"        "     27  '65, 


Aug.  7     Deserted  May  22,  1863. 
July  23    Discharged  Feb.  18  '64. 

July  26    M.  O.  June  19  '65,  Baltimore,  Md. 


Canterbury  Aug.  i 
Aug.  ii 

Norwich  July  17 
Aug.  2 

Bozrah  July  21 
July  21 

Norwich  July  23 
July  26 
July  25 
Aug.  6 

Canterbury  Aug.    i 


M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Tr.  Inv.  Corps.  M.  O.  July  14  '65. 
Discharged  Oct.  4  '64. 
Disc.,  disability,  June  18  '65. 
Wd.  and  capt.   Died  July  24  '64. 
Discharged,  disab.,  Aug.  '63. 
Died   Oct.  19  '62,    Ft.  McHenry. 
M.  O.June  27*65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Discharged,  dis.,  Jan.  4  '64. 
M.  O.  June  27  '64,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Discharged,  dis.,  Feb.  3  '64. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


395 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                            Remarks. 

Clark,  Wm.  T. 

Bozrah 

Aug.    5    M.  O.  June  27  '64,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Chapman,  Elias  H. 

Griswold 

July,  31    Died  July  30  '63,  Annapolis,   Md. 

Clark,  John  S. 

Norwich 

Aug,  2      M.  O.June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Card,  Charles  P. 

Canterbury 

Aug.  3     Tr.  Invalid  Corps  Sept.  30  '63. 

Chappell,  Samuel   H. 

Norwich 

July  19    Deserted  May  22  '63. 

Carey,  Charles  W. 

« 

July  24    M.  O.  July  i  '65,  Cumberl'd,  Md. 

Campbell,  Peter 

Preston 

July  21                 June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Carver,  James 

Norwich 

July  28        "           "     27   '65, 

Carney,  Daniel 

(4 

July  22    Wd.  June  18  '64.  M.O.  May  28  '65. 

Crawford,  John 

« 

July  22     Died  July  2  '63,  of  wounds. 

Clark,  James 

II 

July  23    Tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  M.  O    June  27  '65. 

Cushman,  David  F. 

it 

July  21     M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Clark,  Francis  L. 

Lebanon 

Aug.  4         "         "     27  '65, 

Capwell,  George  W. 

Bozrah 

Aug.  4                    "     27   '65, 

Chalmers,  John 

Norwich 

July  22                  "     27    '65, 

Dean,  John  S. 

Hampton 

Aug.  3      Deserted  Nov.  8  '64. 

Durfey,  Henry  M. 

Norwich 

Aug.  9      M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Delaney,  John 

u 

July  17    Killed  July  18  '64. 

Fanning,  George  W. 

14 

July  29     Discharge,  dis  ,  March  25  '64. 

Gaskill,  Henry  C 

ft 

Aug.    i     Wd.  June  5  '64.  Died  Feb.  20  '65. 

Gilroy,  Charles 

H 

July  24    Deserted  Aug.  21  '62. 

Gorry,  John 

It 

July  22    M.O  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Gibson,  Savillian  F. 

11 

Aug.  2          "        «      27,  '65, 

Greene,  Albert  C. 

Canterbury 

Aug,  4                May  31   '65.  Frederick,  Md. 

Greene  John  S. 

a 

Aug.  4     Wd,  May   15  '64.  Killed  June  5  '64 

Holdridge,  William  A. 

Waterford 

Aug.  4      M.O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Hill,  Elisha  D. 

Norwich 

July  21         "         "  27  '65. 

Hancock,  Joseph  A. 

H 

July  23    Wd.  May  15  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65. 

Hanley,  Michael 

it 

July  22    Wd.  June  15   '63.  Disc.  June  16*64. 

Johnson,  Daniel  H. 

« 

July  29    Wd.  July  18*64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Kelley,  Andrew  J. 

14 

Aug.   2     M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Kerr,  John 

(. 

July  23    Tr.  to  Invalid  Corps  May  i  '64. 

Kingsley,  Jared  L. 

1C 

Aug.  4     M.  O.June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Laird,  John 

(| 

Aug.  8        «         "     27    '65 

Leonard,  M.  Luther 

« 

July  25    Disc.,  to  enter  U.  S.C  T.  Mch  4  '64. 

Latham,  Albert 

(4 

July  25     Discharged  April  TO  '64. 

Martin,  John  W. 

II 

July  17    M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Matthewson,  Alfred 

Bozrah 

July  21                    «     27  '65, 

McCracken,  James 

Norwich 

Aug.   8     Killed  June  15  '63,  Winchester,  Va. 

Martin,  Islay  B. 

41 

Aug.  5      Died  July  2  '63,  of  wounds. 

396 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 

Mitchell,  William  C. 
Muzzey,  Benjamin  H. 
Marshall,  Wilson  C. 
Miner,  Charles  H.,  Jr., 
McDavid,  George 
Mossman,  Alexander 
McClure,  John 
Pitcher,  George 
Pitcher,  Albert  H. 
Parker,  Timothy 
Robinson,  Francis 
Ray,  George  H. 
Richards,  Charles  J. 
Service,  Thomas 
Sherman,  Horace  U. 
Schofield,  LeGrand 
Spencer,  Stephen  H. 
Shaw,  Daniel 
Semples,  James  W. 
Service,  John 
Sullivan,   Daniel  B. 
Sweet,  Edwin 
Town,  William  H. 
Thompson,  Nelson  C. 
Taylor,  Samuel 
Tifft,  John  H. 
Wood,  Asa  F. 
Wood,  Alfred 
Worden,  Samuel  D. 
Young,  Robert 


Residence.     Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Preston          July  21  Wd.  June  18 '64.  M.  O.  June  7 '65. 
Norwich        July  31    M.  O.  May  20  '65,    Hartford,  Ct. 

July  23  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Aug.  5  "     27  '65, 

July  19  Discharged,  dis.,  March  i  '63. 

July  19  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  19  «         "     27  '65, 

Aug.  4  "     27  '65, 

July  23  Wd.  June  15  '63.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 

July  23  M.  O.  June  27  '65  Harpers  Ferry. 

Aug.  4  Discharged,  dis.,  March  2  '63. 

Canterbury  Aug.  4  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Norwich        Aug.  2  "      May  22  '65,  JarvisHosp. 

Aug.  5  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  23  "         "27   65 

July  17  «         «     27   65 

July  26  Wd.  June  5  64,  M.  O.  June  27  65. 

July  25  M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Feiry. 

July  26  "       June  27  65, 

July  17  "       June  27   65 

July  25  Wd.  June  15  63.  M.  O.  May  18  65. 

Canterbury   Aug.  4  Discharged,  dis  ,  Feb.  7  63. 

Norwich       Aug.  7  Died  March  28  64,  Sandy  Hook. 

Aug.  4  Died  June  30  63,  of  wounds. 

July  22  M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Aug.  4  "     June  27  65, 

Aug.  6  «     27   65, 

July  23  «          "     27   65, 

Canterbury  Aug.  4  Wd.  June  15  63. Disc., dis.  Mch. 8  64 

Norwich        July  25  M.  O.  June  27  65,   Harper's  Ferry. 


COMPANY  B. 


Captain.  1862. 

THOMAS  K.  BATES  Brooklyn       July  16    Wd.   Disc.,  disability,   Nov.  17  '63 

is/  Lieutenant. 

HORATIO  BLANC  HARD  Killingly       Aug.  i      Pr.  Capt.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  F. 

2d  Lieutenant. 

EZRA  D.  CARPENTER  Putnam         July  14    M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 


CONNECT1CU T  VOL  UNTEERS. 


397 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                              Remarks. 

Sergeants. 

Edgar  Amsbury 

Killingly 

July  14 

M.  O.  May  17  '65,  Frederick,  Md. 

Sim  C.  Chamberlain 

Brooklyn 

Aug.  2 

"        20    '65, 

Caleb  Blanchard 

Killingly 

July  1  8 

"     20  '65,  Hartford,  Ct. 

Stephen  W  Aldrich 

Brooklyn 

July  28 

"      June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

•George  Torry 

WToodstock 

July  16 

Disc,  for  app.  in  C.  T.,  Dec.  8  '63 

Corporals. 

Anson  Withey 

Killingly 

Aug.  4 

"     8  '63 

Laurens  Card 

a 

Aug.  2 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Stephen  J.  Lee 

« 

July  31 

"          "     27  '65> 

Henry  F.  Paine 

Putnam 

July  21 

Wounded.    Died  Aug.  10  '64. 

Samuel  R.  Davis 

Killingly 

July  28 

Discharged  April  i  '64. 

William  H.  Austin 

" 

Aug.  i 

disability,  Dec.  24  '62. 

Edwin  L.  Joslyn 

u 

Aug.  26 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Thomas  M.  Day 

a 

Aug.  2 

"  27-65, 

Musicians. 

Henry  B.  Fuller 

" 

July  1  6 

"     27  '65, 

Dwight  C.  Brown 

" 

July  21 

"     27  '65, 

Wagoner. 

William  A.  Handy 

a 

July  21 

Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  15  '64. 

Privates. 

Adams,  John  Q. 

Brooklyn 

July  12 

Died   May   '64,   Martinsburg,    Va. 

Adams,  William  A. 

Killingly 

Aug.  i 

M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Adams,  Olney 

" 

Aug.  4 

"       May  1  8  65,  New  Haven,  Ct. 

Aldrich,  Welcome  B. 

Putnam 

July    14 

"       June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Anderson,  William  H 

u 

July  22 

"      May  24  65,  New   York  City. 

Arnold,  Lorenzo  B. 

Brooklyn 

Aug.  4 

"      June  27  6c,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Armington,  Joseph 

Killingly 

Aug.  5 

"         "27  65",          « 

Burroughs,  George  H 

" 

July  29 

"          "     2765, 

Burroughs,  Francis 

" 

Aug.  2 

May  23  65 

Be  mis,  Harrison  O. 

u 

Aug.  2 

June  27  65        'k 

Buck,  Lorenzo  H. 

Putnam 

Aug.  4 

Died  Dec.  28  63,  Martinsburg,  Va. 

Bartlett,  Edwin  S. 

Woodstock 

July  15 

M.  (3.  June  17  65,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Bacon,  Abner  F. 

Killingly 

Aug    i 

"       May  20  65,   Hartford  Ct. 

Brown,  Harlan  P 

11 

Aug.  2 

Discharged,  dis  ,  March  2  63. 

Bolles,  Darius  A. 

'• 

July  14 

M.  O.  June  27  65  Harper's  Ferry. 

Baker,  George  R. 

Woodstock 

Aug.  5 

"         "       2765,         '« 

Bartlett,  George  W, 

u 

Aug.  5 

"         u        7  65,  Annapolis,    Md. 

Brewster,  Sidney  M. 

Putnam 

July  25 

"       27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Cragan,  Martin 

Killingly 

July  23 

"       27   65, 

EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  arid  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                            Remarks. 

Clark,  Allen 

Killingly 

July  24 

M.  O    May  30  '65,  Hartford,  Ct. 

Colvin,  David   M. 

Brooklyn 

Aug.  4 

June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Cook,  Elmer  D. 

Putnam 

July  25 

Wd."       "     27  65,         " 

Chesbro,  George  L. 

Killingly 

Aug.  4. 

Discharged,  dis.,  March  2  63. 

Campbell,  Charles 

Plainfield 

July  17 

Wd.  M.  O.  June  2    65,  Jarvis  Hos. 

Corcoran,  Thomas 

Putnam 

July  14 

M  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry.. 

Coomes,  Ransalaer 

Woodstock 

Aug.  2 

Discharged,  dis.  March  2  63. 

Chaffee,  Myron  J. 

" 

July  21 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Danielson,  Daniel  D. 

Killingly 

Aug.  i 

«         «     27  '65, 

Dye,  Van  Buren 

Brooklyn 

July  22 

"     27  '65, 

Donahue,  [ohn 

Killingly 

July  26 

"     May  30  '65,  York,  Pa. 

Dagget,  James 

" 

July  23 

Killed  June  15  63,  Winchester,  Va. 

Emerson,   David 

Brooklyn 

July  26 

M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Freeman,  Frederick  M. 

Killirfgly 

July  18 

«         "     2765,         " 

Fox,  John  A. 

" 

Aug   i 

May  30  65,  Hartford,  Ct. 

Frazier,  Richard 

" 

Aug  i 

Wd.  discharged,  dis.,  Dec.  14  '63, 

Franklin,  Edmund 

" 

Aug.  4 

M.  O.  July  14  65,  Hartford  Ct. 

Gordon,  Elias  K. 

c< 

July  15 

"     June  27  65,  Harper's   Ferry. 

Green,  David 

u 

July  28 

Died  June  20  63,  Baltimore,    Md. 

Geer,  Henry  II. 

Brooklyn 

July  21 

Discharged,  dis.,  March   2,  63. 

Green,  Clarendon  M. 

Woodstock 

Aug.  4 

M.  O.  lime  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Gould,   Henry  K. 

Killingly 

Aug.  4 

"         "       27  65,         « 

Gochie,  Joseph 

u 

July  29 

Discharged,  dis.,  Dec,  18  '63. 

Hart,  Lewis 

Brooklyn 

July  22 

M.  O   June  19  65,  York  Pa. 

Heath,  George  W. 

Putnam 

July  21 

"         "27  65,    Harper's  Ferry. 

Harrington,  John 

it 

Aug.  4 

"         "   27  65,         « 

Houghton,  Amasa 

Killingly 

July  24 

Discharged,  dis.  Oct.  1362, 

Hall,  William  A. 

Woodstock 

July  1  8 

"     Dec.  31  63. 

Hibbard,  Albert 

u 

July  28 

Wd.Died  Nov.iS  64,  And'ville,Ga. 

Kilfoyle,  Patrick 

Killingly 

July  23 

Deserted. 

Kelly,  Norman 

u 

July  31 

M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Kinney,  Nathan 

" 

July  28 

"27  65, 

Mathewson,  Hazel  E. 

Brooklyn 

July  29 

Died  Dec.  n  64,  Annapolis,    Md. 

Mclntyre,  William 

Killingly 

July  30 

M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Morse,  Stephen  H. 

Brooklyn 

Aug.  4 

n         it        ~   (-  c          «           t( 

Matthews,  Altiery  K. 

Killingly 

Aug.  4 

Discharged,  dis.,  Oct.  12  62. 

McLaughlin,  Hugh 

Plainfield 

July  28 

M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Morse,  Needham 

Killingly 

July  31 

Discharged  June  18  63. 

Miller,  Josiah 

Putnam 

July  31 

M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Neff,  Hamilton  H. 

Brooklyn 

Aug.  4 

"     27  65. 

CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


399 


Kame  and  Rank. 

Olney,  William  F. 
Olney,  Charles  E. 
Paine,  John  M. 
Pike,  William  H. 
Potter,  Alvah  D. 
Pollock,  William  H. 
Richmond,  Calvin  H. 
Randall,  John  W. 
Randall,  Smith   H. 
Smith,  Isaac  W. 
Stewart,  John  F. 
Simmons,  Thomas 
Spaulding,  Samuel  K. 
Sawyer,  James  H. 
Spaulding,  Edmond  W. 
Scofield,  Uri  B. 
Trask,  William  A. 
Taylor,  Lucian  A. 
Taylor,  James  A. 
Trask,  Adelbert  R. 
Ward,  William  H. 
Wood,  Edwin  R. 
Watson,  James 


Residence.     Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Killingly       Aug.  i  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

July  31  "     2765, 

Woodstock    July  30  Disc,  for  appt.  U.S. CT.,Mch. 6/64. 

Plainfield      July  29  Died  Sept.  26  '64,  Charleston,  S.  C 

Putnam         July  30  M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Killingly       Aug.  5  Discharged  June  18  63. 

July  25  M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Aug.  2  "         "       27  65, 

July  14  "         "       2765, 

July  22  Discharged,  dis.,  March  2  63. 

July  14  M.  O.  May  2065,   Frederick,   Md. 

Aug.  4  Killed  June  15  63, Winchester,  Va. 

Putnam         July  28  Wd.   M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  F. 

Woodstock   Aug.  4  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Killingly        Aug.  i  TO  65,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Aug.  i  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Plainfield      July  29  "          "       27  65, 

Woodstock   July  r5  "         "      27  65,                        « 

Killingly       Aug.  4  Discharged,  disability,  May  '63. 

Plainfield      July  14  M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Putnam          July  29  "     27  65, 

July  16  Wd.  Discharged,  dis.,  May  4  65. 

Plainfield      July  14  M.  O.  June  27  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 


COMPANY  C. 


Captain. 
ISAAC  H.  BROMLEY          Norwich 

ist  Lieutenant. 
SAMUEL  T.  C.  MERWIN 

2d  Lieutenant. 
HENRY  COWLES 

Sergeants. 

Reuben  B   Brown  " 

Andrew  Washburn  Lebanon 

Charles  Robinson 
Edward  S.  Hinckley  " 

Charles  H.  Carpenter       Norwich 

Corporals. 
Samuel  H.  Freeman  " 


1862. 
July  26    Honorably  disc.,  March  31  '63. 

Aug.  7     Pr.  Capt.  M.  O.  ist  Lt.  June  27  '65 
July  26    Pr.  ist  Lt,   Hon.  disc.  May  15  '65. 

Aug.  5      M.  O.  June  23  '65,  Hartford,  Ct. 
July  31     Pr.  2dLt.  Ap.U.S.C.T.  Feb.  24 '64 
Aug.  13  Pr.  2d  Lt.   Disc,  for  ap.  U.  S.  C.  T. 

Pr.  ist  Lt.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  F. 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 


Aug.  8 
Aug.  6 


Aug.  7     Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  F 


400 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Bank. 

Thomas  C.  Abell, 
George  R.  Bill 
Restcome  Peckham 
E.  Benjamin  Culver 
Alonzo  S.  Mather 
Sylvanus  Downer 
George  E.  Comins 
Musicians. 
Charles  E.  Case 
Judson  A.  Gager 

Wagoner. 
William  A.  Wetmore 

Privates. 
Abell,  John  W. 
Anderson,  Charles  W. 
Avery,  Charles  M. 
A  very,  James  H. 
Bacon,  Harrison  E. 
Blackman,  B.  Burrell, 
Bingham,  Henry  A. 
Bramble,  Calvin 
Brand,  Christopher  A. 
Brady  George  W. 
Brockway,  Thomas  C. 
Burdick,  Gilbert  A. 
Carey,  Joel 
Carpenter,  Charles  H. 
Coggswell,  George 
Congdon,  Peleg  C 
Chappell,  Charles  C. 
Clark,  Joseph  P. 
Clark,  Henry  T. 
Cross,  George  W. 
Crosby,  Hiram  B. 
Davoll,  Joseph  G. 
Dorrance,  George  E. 
Durfee,  Abisha  P. 
Ellis,  William  H.  H. 
Ellsworth,  Charles  H. 
Ellsworth,  David 


Residence.     Date  Muster 


Remarks. 


Lebanon 


Norwich 
Lebanon 
Norwich 


Lebanon 


<( 

Aug.  4 

Norwich 

Aug.  7 

Preston 

Aug.  8 

a 

Aug.  6 

Norwich 

Aug.  i 

a 

July  26 

Lisbon 

Aug.  ii 

Lyme 

Aug.  7 

Norwich 

July  25 

« 

Aug.  8 

Lyme 

Aug.  7 

Preston 

July  26 

Norwich 

Aug.  2 

u 

Aug.  7 

« 

Aug.  6 

Lebanon 

Aug.  13 

u 

Aug.  8 

Scotland 

Aug.  5 

Norwich 

Aug.  4 

« 

Aug.  6 

« 

July  26 

Lebanon 

Aug.  9 

Norwich 

Aug.  4 

Lebanon 

Aug.  12 

Norwich 

Aug.  6 

Griswold 

Aug.  8 

Berlin 

Aug.  21 

Aug.  8  M.  O.  May  19'  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

July  3 1  Discharged  April  7  '64. 

Aug.  8  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

July  26  Pr.  Adjt.    Died  ofwds.  June  6 '64. 

Aug.  8  Discharged  March  28  '64. 

Aug.  1 1  Wd.  Died  Nov.  5  '64,  Ander'ville. 

Aug.  24  Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  F. 

July  29  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Aug.  7  "         "       27  '65,        " 

Aug.  7  M.  O.  June  2  '65,  Jarvis  Hospital. 


M   O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"    27  '65,         " 

Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  F 
M.  O.  May  30  '65,   Hartford,  Ct. 
M.  O.  May  23  '65,  Frederick,  Md. 
App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.  March  23  '64. 
11       23  '64. 

Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H'F. 
Trans,  to  2ist  C.  V.  Aug.  18  '62. 
Pro.  Adj.  M.  O.  June  27,  H.  F. 
Discharged,  disability,  Dec.  23  '62 
M.  O.  June  22  '65,  Frederick,  Md 
Wd.  M.  O.  May  22  '65,  Jarvis  Ho?. 
Discharged  for  app  in  U.  S,  C.  T. 
Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  F. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harpei's  Ferry 
Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  Ferry. 
M.  O.  May  18  '65,  New  Haven. 

"      June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

«         "     27  '65,         " 
Pr.  Col.    Disc.  Lt.  Col.  Sep.  14  '64 
Discharged,  disability,  May  6  '63. 
Tr.  to  Inv.  Corps  March  15  '64. 
Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H    Ferry 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Wd.  M.  O.  May  18  '65,  N.  Haven 
M.  O.  June  5  '65,  Annapolis,  Md. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


401 


Name  and  Rank. 

Fanning,  Charles  T. 
Fitch,  Edwin  S.,  Jr. 
Fletcher,  Freeborn  O. 
Gates,  Alfred  E. 
Geer,  Charles  F. 
Green,  Joseph  B. 
Greenman,  George 
Hamilton,  William  H. 
Hempstead,  Albert 
Holmes,  John 
Holmes,  Asher  1). 
Huntington,  J.  L.  W. 
Jewell,  William  C. 
Keeler,  George  W. 
Keables,  Charles  F. 
Kidder,  Edwin  M. 
Kraus,  Adam 
Leach,  Edwin  T. 
Loomis,  Adgate  L. 
Lord,  Nelson  P 
Lombard,  Marcina 
Lumis,  Thomas  J. 
Lynch,  Charles 
Manning,  Lemuel  A. 
Mr \Vhirr,  John  F. 
Mu/zy,  Walter  H. 
Noyes,  Charles  C. 
•Ormsby,  Henry  B. 
Pember,  Lucius  G. 
Potter,  Elisha  R, 
Reynolds,  John  M. 
Richards,  Wm.  H.  H. 
Robinson,  Myron  W. 
Schalk,  John 
Spencer,  Frederick  L. 
Stone,  William 
Sullard,  Albert 
Taylor,  Francis  W. 
Tiliey,  Charles  H. 
Tilden,  Joseph  A. 

51 


Res'dence.     Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Norwich 

July  31 

a 

Aug.  8 

tt 

July  28 

Lebanon 

Aug.  13 

tt 

Aug.  5 

Griswold 

Aug.  6 

Norwich 

Aug.  18 

(t 

July  29 

Cl 

Aug.  8 

Preston 

July  26 

Lebanon 

Aug,  7 

Franklin 

July  30 

Norwich 

Aug.  i 

Preston 

Aug   8 

Norwich 

Aug.  6 

Lebanon 

Aug.  13 

Norwich 

Aug.  6 

(4 

Aug.  7 

Lebanon 

Aug.  i 

U 

July  31 

« 

Aug.  9 

Norwich 

Aug.  5 

tt 

Aug.  6 

tt 

July  29 

tt 

Aug.  4 

a 

Aug.  12 

U 

Aug.  n 

Lebanon 

July  31 

U 

Aug.  8 

Norwich 

Aug.  8 

Lyme 

Aug.  7 

N.  London 

Aug.  8 

Lebanon 

Aug.  16 

tt 

Aug.  7 

tt 

Aug.  9 

Lyme 

Aug.  12 

Lebanon 

Aug.  6 

Norwich 

Aug.  7 

Lebanon 

Aug.  7 

H 

Aug.  9 

Killed  June  5  '64,  Piedmont,  Va. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"      27  '65, 

Wd.   Died  at  Staunton  June  10  '64 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"      *  "      27  '65,        " 
App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.  March  23  '64. 
Killed  June  5  '64,  Piedmont,  Va. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Killed  June  15  '63,  Winchester,  Va 
Disc,  to  enlist  U.  S.  A.  Feb.  n  '64 
Discharged,  dis.,  March  28  '63 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Wd.  Tr.  V.  R.  C.  M.  O.  Aug.  17^5 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Kerry 

"         "      27  '65, 
App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.   Feb.  24  '64. 

"  March  23  '64. 

Wd.     Disc.,  disa.,  Dec.    16  '63. 
Discharged,  disa.,  March  4  '63. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"         "      27  '65, 

Wd.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  Ferry. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Wd.   M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  Ferry. 
Killed  June  15  '63,  Winchester,  Va 
Discharged,  disa.,   March  4  '63. 
Died  Dec.  27  '64,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Wd.   M.  O   June  9  '65,     " 
Discharged,  disa.,  March  4  '63. 

*'  about  Sep.  10  '63 
Enlisted  U.  S.  A.  Nov.  16  '62. 
Died  Aug.  16  '63. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Tr.  to  V.  R.  C.     M.  O.  June  6  '65 
Disc.  June  5  '64,   New  Haven.  Ct 
Wd.     Died  Mar.  28  '65,  Annapolis 
M.  O.  May  24  '65,  Annapolis  Jnc. 
Wd.  'M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  Ferry 


402 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 

Tile-en,  Ebenezer 
Tisdale,  James  W. 
Tracy,  Joseph  A. 
Tracy,  Gilbert  A. 
Tucker,  George  W. 
Upham,  Benjamin  M. 
Ward,  George  W. 
Weaver,  George  A. 
White,  Edwin 
Williams,  John 
Wilson,  Dee  Laroo 
Winship,  Joseph  H. 
Woodmancy,  Albert  G. 
York,  James  E. 


Captain. 
JOSEPH  MATTHEWSON 

ij7  Lieutenant. 
WILLIAM  L.  SPAULDING 

2ti  Lieutenant. 
NOADJAH  P.  JOHNSON 

Sergeants. 
Thomas  J.  Aldrich 
Franklin  G,  Bixby 
Norton  Randall 
Joseph  E.  Marcy 
Corporals. 
William  H.  Paine 
Henry  H.  Brown 
James  H.  Kickard 
John  R.  Carter 
Chas.  W.  Grosvenor 
George  W.  Phetteolace 
William  J.  Arnold 
Charles  R.  Conant 
Musicians. 
George  H.  Jacobs 
Wanton  A.  Weaver,  Jr. 


Residence.      Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Lebanon       Aug.  4  M.  O.  May  30  '65,   Hartford,  Ct. 

Norwich        July  29  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Aug.  7  Died  of  wds.  Aug.  7  '64. 

Griswold       Aug.  8  Discharged  June   16  '63. 

Lyme             Aug.  12  disability,  Sep.  i  '63. 

Norwich        Aug.  6  Tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  i  '65, 

Aug.  6  Died  Feb.  6  '65,  Andersonville,  Ga 

Lebanon        Aug.  8  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Norwich        Aug.  4  "       27  '65,        " 

Lebanon       Aug.  9  "         "       27  '65,        "              " 

Norwich         Aug.  n  Pr.  20!  Lt.  3d  Md.  Cav.  An  jr.  12  '63 

Aug    1 1  Died  April   5  '64,  Andersonville. 

Stonington    July  30  Killed  June  15  '63,  Winchester,  Va 

Norwich        July  30  Wd.   M.  O.   June  27  '63,  H.  Ferry 


COMPANY  D. 


Pomfret 


Eastford 


Thompson 


Eastford 

Woodstock 
Thompson 
Pomfret 
Thompson 

Pomfret 
Thompson 


July  26 

Aug.  9 
July  25 
Aug.  4 

Aug    12 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  8 
July  28 
Aug.  10 
Aug.  6 
July  28 
Aug.  6 

Aug.  8 
Aug.  4 


Tw.  Wd.  Pr.  Maj.  M.  O.  Jim,  27  '65 
Pr.  Cap.  Killed  May  15  '64,  N.  M 
Pr.  ist  Lt.  'M.  O.  June  27  '65. 

Wd.  May  15  '64.  Killed  July  18  '64 
Pr.  Cap.  M.  O,  as  2d  Lt.  June  27  '65 
M.  O.  June  27  '65  Harper's  Ferry 

"    " "   27  -65. 

Killed  June  5  '64,  Piedmont,  "Va. 
App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.,  Feb.  25  '64. 

"  March  19  '64 

Died  of  wounds  ]uly  10  '64. 
M.  O.   May  18  '65,   New  Haven. 
"       June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"     27 '65, 
Died  of  wounds  June  26  '64. 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
"         "      27 '65,.    " 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


403. 


Name  and  Rank. 

Wagoner. 
George  H.  Wilson 

Privates, 

Aldrich,  Parris  H. 
Adams,  Joseph  P. 
Adams,  William  L. 
Aldrich,  Lyman  M. 
Brown,  John  D. 
Burgess,  Warren  A. 
Bickford,  Erskine  F. 
Bickford,  Joseph 
Blakely,  Daniel 
Buchanan,  Anson  A. 
Bates,  Tyler 
Buckley,  Joseph 
Burdick,  I) wight 
Baker,  Solomon  H 
Buck,  Edward  C. 
Brown,  Otis 
Chaffee,  Francis  B. 
Converse,  Jesse  F. 
Coman,  Oscar 
Clapp,  John  W. 
Coman,  John  L. 
Curtiss,  Prescott  P. 
Converse,  Frank  H. 
Child,  William  L. 
Cooper,  Thomas  I). 
Chase,  Nathan 
Clark,  Michael 
Cheney,  Frank  W. 
Daggett,  Nelson 
Dearth,  Thomas  H. 
Frissell,  Albert 
Fitts,  Daniel  B. 
Gifford,  Silas  B. 
Gay,  Horace 
Gould,  William 
Green,  Rufus 
Griggs,  William  H. 


Residence.      Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Pomfret         Aug.  13  Tr.  to  V.  R.  Corps  March  15  '64. 

Thompson,  Aug.  7  Wd.  App.  U.  S.  C.  T.  July  10  '64 

Aug.  9  Killed  June  5  '64,  Piedmont,  Va. 

Eastford       Aug.  4  "           u     5  '64, 

Thompson    Aug.  n  Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.O.June  27  '65 

Aug.  8.  App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.   March  16  '64 

Aug.  6  Wd.   M.  O.  May  18  '65,  N.  Haven 

"            Aug.  8  Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  May  25  '65 

Aug.  i  Discharged,  disability,  March  5  '63 

Hampton       Aug.  4  Tr.  to  Invalid  Corps  Dec.  15  '63. 

Thompson     July  29  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Aug.  4  "  "      27  '65, 

Aug.  7  "      27  '65, 

Hampton      Aug.  4  4<      27  '65, 

Eastford       Aug.  5  "         "27  '65, 

Thompson    Aug.  4  "         "      27  '65, 

Aug.  i  Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Aug.  9  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harpers  Ferry 

Aug.  4  Discharged  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Aug.  9  \Vd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  12  '65 

Pomfret         Aug.  7  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Thompson    Aug.  9  Wd.  June  5  '64.    M.  O.  June  14  '65 

"             July  26  Discharged,  disability,  Oct.  27  '62 

Aug.  2  Wd.   Disc.,  disability,  March  10*65 

Woodstock   Aug.  i.S  M.  O.   lime  19  '65,   Philadelphia. 

Pomfret         July  29  Killed  June  5  '64,    Piedmont,  Va. 

Thompson    Aug.  6  Wd.  June  i  X  '64.   M.  O.  May  23  '65 

Hampton      Aug.  4  "       "      5  '64.             June  27  '65 

Eastford        Aug.  8  App  in  U.  S.  C.  T,  Oct    12  '64. 

Thompson    Aug.  "i  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

July  25  Tr.  Iriv.  Corps.    M    O.  Aug.  17  '65 

Aug.  7  M.  ().  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Pomfret         Aug.  7  "          "27  '65,  Annapolis,  Md 

Thompson    Aug.  8  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Aug.  2  Discharged,  disa.,  March  25  '63, 

Pomfret         Aug.  7  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Thompson    Aug.  6  "         "      27  '65,                        " 

Pomfret        Aug.  n  "         "     27*65,         "             " 


404 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Xame  and  Rank. 

Griggs,  James  H. 
Grow,  Thomas  VV. 
Hall,  Horatio  A. 
Hihbard,  George  D. 
Heath,  Joseph  W. 
Johnson,  William  P. 
Jennings,  Daniel 
Johnson,  Parris  G. 
Johnson,  George  C. 
Joslin,  Silas  R. 
Jones,  Samuel  N. 
Johnson,  Edwin  F. 
Leonard,  Isaiah 
Lynch,  William 
Lummis,  John 
Leonard,  Thomas  J. 
May,  George  A. 
Miller,  James  F. 
Miller,  Ahial  A. 
Maguire,  Frank  Y. 
May,  William 
Munyan,  Rufus  P. 
Perrin,  John  N. 
Potter,  Lucius  H. 
Penniman,  Silas  M. 
Potter,  Charles  H 
Ryan,  Edward  P. 
Richardson,  Sherman 
Robinson,  Joseph  W. 
Randall,  H.  Monroe 
Ryant,  Thomas 
Robbins,  Elisha  K. 
Randall,  Peter 
Randall,  Joseph 
Sprague,  Elias 
Sheldon,  William  E. 
Streeter,  Moses 
Sheldon,  Albert  F. 
Seaver,  George  T. 
Sharpe,  Edwin 


Residence. 

Pom  fret 
Hampton 
Thompson 
Pomfret 

Thompson 

a 

Brooklyn 
Thompson 


Woodstock 
Thompson 


Pomfret 

Union 

Woodstock 

Thompson 

u 

Pomfret 
Woodstock 

Thompson 
« 

Killingly 
Woodstock 

u 

Thompson 


Eastford 
Thompson 


Date  Muster 

Aug.  7 
Aug.  5 
Aug    7 
Aug.  7 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  i 
Aug    2 
Aug.  6 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  10 
Aug.  15 
Aug.  i 
Aug.  8 
July  28 
Aug.  7 
Aug.  18 
Aug.  12 
Aug.  10 
Aug.  i 
Aug.  10 
Aug.  12 
July  28 
July  29 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  17 
Aug.  12 
Aug.  5 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  6 
Aug.  8 
Aug   9 
July  31 
Aug.  8 


Remarks 


M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's   Ferry 
"         "     27  '65, 


Pomfret 


Aug.  8 
Aug.  7 
Aug.  6 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  8 
July  29 
Aug.  10 


27  '65, 

Disc.,  disa.,  May  10  '65,  N.  Haven 
Wd.  May  15  '64.  M.  O,  June  27  '65 
Wd.  June  5  '64.  "  "  "  14*65 
Discharged,  disability,  March  5  '63 
M.  O.  June  27*65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Wd.  July  1 8 '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"         "      29 '65,         " 
Killed  June  5  '64,  Piedmont,  Va. 

"         "5  '<M, 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Died  Nov.,  1864. 

Wd.  App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.  Oct.  9  '64 
Discharged,  disability,  July  10  '64. 
App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.  Aug.  8  '64. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

;   ""  n -65, 

Disc.  Feb.  10  '64.   Furnished  sub. 
M.  O.  Tune  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"      "  "     27  '65, 

App  Hos.  St.  U.  S.  A.  Nov.  22^4 
Discharged,  disability,  March  8 '63 

March  17  '65. 

Wd.   M.  O.  June  27  '65,   H.  Ferry 
Discharged  March  28  '64. 
Died  wounds  Sep.  29  '64,  And'ville 
Discharged,  disability,  April  17  '63 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Enlisted  in  U.  S    A.  Oct.  14  '62. 
Died  March  TO  '65.  Thompson,  Ct 
M.  O.  lune  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"         "       27  '65,        " 
Discharged,  disability,  April  14  '63 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"         "19  '65,  Hartford,  Ct. 

"     27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

«         "27  T65,  '.       " 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


405 


Name  and  Rank. 

Taylor,  Amos  W. 
Torry,  Henry  C. 
White,  Luther 
Whitmore,  Harvey 
Young,  George  E. 


Captain . 
ISAAC  W.  HAKES,  Jr. 

is/  Lieutenant. 
FREDERICK  A.  PALMER 

2(1  Lieutenant. 
JOHN  T.   MA<;  INN  is 

Sergeants. 
Francis  McKeag 
Anthony,  Staubly 
William  H.  Douglass, 
John  J.  Franklin 
William  C.  Hillard 

Corporals. 
Edwin  Fitch 
josiah  A.  Coleman 
Gordon  Wilcox 
Hylon  N.  Perry 
James  McKee. 
Chauncey  }.  Williams 
Stephen  A.  Franklin 
William  C.  Tracy 

Musicians. 
John  H.  Post 
George  Maynard 

Wagoner. 
Edward  S.  Clark 

Privates. 
Allen,  Nelson  R. 
Alger,  Silas  J. 
Adams,  Anthpny 
Avery,  George 
Albertine,  E   T. 


Residence.      Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Thompson    July  28    Discharged,  disa.,   March   5  '63. 
Woodstock  Aug.  8      M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Died  of  wounds  March  14  '65. 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
"      10  '65,   Hartford,  Ct. 


Thompson    Aug.  -6 
Pomfret         Aug.  7 


Aug.  9 


COMPANY  E. 


1862. 

Norwich 

July  12 

u 

July  12 

Salem 

July  25 

Norwich 

July  14 

(4 

July  17 

Colchester 

July  25 

Columbia 

July  1  6 

Norwich 

July  14 

Colchester 

July  25 

n 

July  25 

Norwich 

July  21 

u 

Aug.  4 

u 

Aug.  5 

Colchester 

July  25 

Columbia 

July  25 

Lebanon 

July  29 

Andover 

July  19 

Salem 

Aug.  6 

Norwich 
Norwich 


Colchester 
Sprague 


July  29 

July  16 
Aug.  4 
July  17 
Aug.  4 
July  16 


Resigned   Dec.   26  '62. 

Pr.  Cap.   Discharged   May  28  '64 

Pr.  ist  Lt.  Died  June  6  '64,  of  wds 

Pr.  2d  Lt    M.  O.  June  27  '65. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
"         "       27  '65,        " 
"       27  '65,        " 
Wd.   Discharged  Dec.  3  '64. 

Discharged  disa.,  March   21  '65. 
M,  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"      27  '65,         « 

"      27  '65, 

"      27  '65, 

Wd.  Died  Aug.  18  '64,  Ande'ville 
Died  Aug.  20  '64,  Sandy  Hook,  Md 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"     27'65,        " 
"         "     27 '65,        " 

"         "     2  7 '65,        " 

"         "     27 '65,        " 
Wd.  June  15  '63.   M.  O.  June  2  '65 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"27  '65, 
Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  19  '65 


406 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                              Remarks. 

A  very,  Henry  E. 

Salem 

Aug.  4 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Avery,  Samuel  H.  N. 

Scotland 

Aug.  7 

;'     "  27  '65, 

Burdick,  Joel 

Norwich 

July  25 

Discharged  Aug.  25  '62. 

Bromley,  George 

Griswold 

July  29 

Wd.  June  15  '64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Burdick,  Abel 

a 

Aug.  6 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferrv 

Brooks,  Lorin  F. 

Coventry 

July  14 

"      "  "      27  '65,         " 

Bogue,  Henry 

Bozrah 

July  19 

"      27  '65,         " 

Brown,  Mulford  G. 

Salem 

Aug.  5 

"      27  '65, 

Beckwith,  Charles  A. 

Colchester 

July  25 

Wd.  June  5  '64.    Died  Aug.  4  '64. 

Brown,  John  H. 

Salem 

Aug.  i 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferrv 

Comstock,  Alfred  J. 

Lebanon 

July  25 

Wd.   Tr.  V.  C.    Disc.  July  25  '65." 

Coil,  John 

Norwich 

July  19 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Cleveland,  Henry  F. 

Andover 

July  17 

"         9  '65,  Annapolis,  Md 

Carr,  Nathaniel  S. 

Coventry 

July  25 

Died  May  25  '64,  New  Haven,  Ct 

Crawford,  George  H. 

Salem 

Aug.  i 

Wd.  June  15  '63.   M.  O.  June  27*65 

Clark,  William  P. 

Colchester 

July  25 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry- 

Daily,  Charles  H. 

Norwich 

July  24 

Discharged  Feb.  '64. 

DeWolf,  Thomas  E. 

Salem 

July  29 

Disc.   Oct.  T  '63,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Douglass,  Reuben  P. 

Colchester 

July  25 

'"    -disability,  Dec.  22,  '62. 

Franklin,  Albert  G. 

Griswold 

July  1  6 

\Yd.  June  '63.   Killed  June  5'  64. 

Fox,  Horace  W. 

Salem 

Aug.  T 

M.  (  ).  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferrv 

Fox,  Wallace 

Salem 

July  28 

Died  Feb.  2  '64,  Martin  sburg.  Va. 

Fleming,  Patrick 

Colchester 

July  27 

Tr   V    R    C.   M    O   July  17  '65 

Fitzpatrick,  Bernard 

u 

July  27 

Wd.  June  15  '63.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Ford,  Alexander 

Cf 

I"1)'  25 

Deserted  July  24  '63. 

Ford,  Christopher 

« 

July  25 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Gardner,  Nicholas  G. 

Andover 

July  1  6 

Wd.  July  iS  '64.    M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Gott,  Chauncey  E. 

Colchester 

J»b'  25 

Tr.  Inv.  Corps.    M.  O    May  30  '65 

Gimball,  John 

t( 

Aug.  i 

M.  O.  ]une  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Hollien,  Chas.  F.  J.  A. 

« 

July  25 

"      "   "      27  '65,  '      " 

Haslem,  Wesley  W. 

Norwich 

July  25 

li      May  18  '65,  New  Haven,  Ct 

Harris,  George  L. 

i  ( 

July  19 

Tr.  Invalid  Corps  Sep.   i  '63. 

Hayward,  William  G. 

n 

Aug.  i 

Died  Sep.  n  '64,  Andersonvillu 

Hennessey,  Thomas  J. 

tt 

July  31 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Holloway,  Joseph  C. 

Salem 

July  29 

Discharged,  disa.,  Nov.  16  '64. 

Hartsgrove,  Chilion  D. 

u 

July  30 

Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Jillson,  Charles  A. 

Sprague 

Aug.  2 

Died  Dec.  5  '64,  Florence,  S.  C. 

Jillson.  Edward  T.,  Jr. 

u 

Aug.  6 

M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Jones,  John 

Colchester 

JulY  25 

Wd.  July  18  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Johnson,  John 

H 

July  22 

"      June  5  '64.       "         "     27  '65 

CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


407 


Name  and  Rank. 

Jenner,  Elias  B 
Kegwin,  George  W. 
Kellihe",  James 
Kinney.  Thomas 
Kegwin,  D wight  R 
Lathrop,  Albert  M. 
Lewis,  Henry  F. 
Lewis,  Daniel  C. 
Lewis,  Charles,  zd 
McCrac  ken,  H    H. 
Mitchell,  Charles  H. 
Massey,  James 
McCusker,  John 
McCusker,  Hugh 
Parkinson,  George 
Palmer,  Isaac 
Payson    Ebenezer  F. 
Potter,  James  N. 
Palmer,  Josiah  C. 
Rose,  Hiram  I). 
Rood,  Julius  J. 
Reynolds,  Samuel  W. 
Rathbun,  George  \V. 
Spencer,  Lorin  T. 
Staubly,  Michael 
Tarbox.  George  W. 
Taft,  Bezaleel  W. 
Tourtellotte,  Marvin 
Upham,  George  R. 
Varney,  Israel 
Wood,  Ezra  H. 
White,  Albert  P. 
Weller,  John 
Wolf,  Henry 
West,  S-th  B. 
Wade,  Sylvester 
Wade,  Henry  H. 


Residence.     Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Scotland 

July  22 

Griswold 

Aug.  4 

Colchester 

July  25 

« 

July  25 

Scotland 

Aug.  7 

Griswold 

July  25 

Columbia 

)  ulv  27 

u 

July  27 

Colchester 

July  25 

Lebanon 

Aug.  4 

Colchester 

July  22 

Norwich 

July  15 

« 

July  25 

M 

Aug.  4 

u 

July  17 

Coventry 

July  22 

Andover 

Aug.  4 

Colchester 

July  25 

tt 

July  25 

Lebanon 

July  25 

Andover 

July  26 

Norwich 

July  14 

Salem 

July  28 

Columbia 

July  1  6 

Norwich 

Aug.  i 

Columbia 

July  23 

.1 

July  14 

Norwich 

July  25 

n 

July  1  8 

a 

July  1  6 

Griswold 

Aug.  6 

Andover 

July  14 

Norwich 

Aug.  6 

4t 

Aug.  ii 

Colchester 

July  25 

Salem 

July  29 

Colchester 

July  25 

Disc.  Baltimore,  by  return  Get  '63 
Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 
"         "    5 '64-       "         "     27 '65 
Died  May  i  '64,  New  Haven,  Ct, 
M.  O.  June  ro  '65,  Hartford,  Ct. 
"     27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"         ''     27 '65,        " 

"27  '65,        " 

Wd.  June  5  '64.    M.  O.  June  27  '65 
Killed  June  15  '63,  Winchester. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Died  Jan.  7  '65,  Florence,  S   C. 
Wd.  Tr.V,  R.  C.  M.  O.  June  28'  65 
M.  O.  June  27,  65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Wd.  June  5  '64.    M.  O.  June  27  '65 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  3  '64. 
M.  O    June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"       "    "     27  '65,         " 
Killed  June  5  '64,  Piedmont,  Va. 
Died  Feb.  3  '64,  Marlinsburg,  Va. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Discharged,  disability,  Dec.  23*62 
M.  O.  June  5  '65,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Deserted  Aug.  26  '62. 
Died  Aug.  10  '64,  Cumberland,  Md 
Wd.  May  15  '64.    M.  O.  June  27  '65 
"    June  '63.  Dis,,  dis.,  Feb.  15  '64 
M,  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Died  Feb.  10  '65,  Florence,  S.  C. 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

"       May  23  '65, 

Wd.  June  5  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Wd.  June  5  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 
M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry- 
Discharged,  disability,  April  13  '63 


408 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


COMPANY  F. 


Name  and  Rank. 

Captain. 
HKNRY  PEALE 

\st  Lieutenant. 
JOHN   E.  WOODWARD 

2ii  Lieutenant. 
JOHN  ALBERT  FRANCIS 

Sergeants. 
Joseph  M.  Parker 
Nathan  F.  D.  Avery, 
Edward  P.  Rogers 
Charles  H.  Carroll, 
Austin  G.  Monroe 

Corporals. 
Caleb  R.  Corey 
Joseph  Forestner 
William  H.  Webb 
Charles  D.  Burdick, 
Jesse  Wilkinson 
Charles  K.  T.  Trenn, 
George  W.  Loomis 
George  W.  Blake 

Musician. 
Julius  Palmer, 

Wagoner. 
Joseph  W.  Carroll 

Privates. 
Appleton,  Henry 
Aldrich,  Albert  C 
Brown,  John  A. 
Billings,  Samuel  D. 
Butler,  Roswell 
Booth,  John 
Blake,  Charles  S. 
Baldwin,  Charles 
Bradley,  John  T. 
Brown,  Russell  M. 
Bowcn,  Ezra  P. 
Bennett,  John  A. 


Residence.     Date  Muster 


Remarks. 


1862 


Norwich 
Preston 

Norwich 


Franklin 
Norwich 

« 
U 


Preston 
Norwich 


Voluntown 
Norwich 


Mansfield 
Norwich 
Plainfield 
Norwich 


July  12  Pr.  Lt.  Col.   M.  O.  June  27  '65. 

July  12  Pr.  Capt.   M.  O.June  27  '65,  H.  F. 

July  14  Pr.  ist  Lt.  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  F. 

July  15  App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.  March  13   '64^ 

July  16  Discharged,  disability,  March  6 '63 

Aug.  ii  App,  in.  U.   S.  C.  T.  Jan.  21  '64. 

July  12  Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 

July  19  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  21  "      May  10  '65, 

Aug.  7  Died  Aug.  9  '63,  Camp  Parole. 

Aug.  7  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Aug.  6  •'      20  '65,  Hartford,  Ct. 

July  12  App.  in  U.  S.  C.  T.  March  13  '64. 

Aug.  9  M.  O.  May  30  '65,  York,  Pa. 

July  26  "       June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Aug.  7  Wd.  June  15  '63,  M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Aug.  4  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

July  14  Tr.  Inv.  Corps.   M.  O.  Aug.  17  '65 

July  17  Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Aug.  15  M.  O.  J.uly  18  '65,  Hartford,  Ct. 

Aug.  ii  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Aug.  4  "         "      27  '65, 

July  14  Wd.  June  5  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 

July  22  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

July  2  i  Deserted  May  25  '63. 

July  30  Killed  June  14  '63,  Winchester,  Va 

Aug.  8  •'•'          "       5  '64,  Piedmont,  Va. 

Aug.  7  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

July  12  "      May  29^5,  Annapolis  June 

July  1 8  Discharged,  disability,  May  3  '63 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


409 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                                        Remarks. 

Botham,  Daniel  A. 

Waterford 

July  25    \Vd.  June  '63.  Dis.,  dis.,  Mch.  14*64 

Braman,  Lucius  R. 

Norwich 

July  30    Discharged,  disability,  Nov.  16  '64 

Burnett,  Albert 

(i 

Aug.  9     Killed  June  15  '63,  Winchester,  Va 

Bennett,  Joseph  H. 

Chaplin 

July  23    Tr.  to  Inv.  Corps  Jan.  15  '64. 

Cole,  George- 

Griswold 

Aug.  i  r    M.  O.  May  18*65,  New  Haven,  Ct 

Cook,  Orrin 

Preston 

Aug.  IT    Wd.  July  1  8  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Church,  Daniel  B. 

Norwich 

July  25    Wd.  June  15  '63.       "         "27  '65 

Chappell,  Alfred  S. 

<  c 

July  22    Died  Sep.  17  '63,  Philadelphia,  Pa 

Carroll,  George 

ti 

Aug.  4     Wd.  June  5  '64.  M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Clark,  William  H, 

Preston 

July  1  6    Acci.  shot.  Tr.  to  1.  C   Jan.  15  '64 

Caswell,  Gilford 

Ledyard 

Aug.  6     Discharged,  disability,  July  16  '64 

Campbell,  William  H. 

Mansfield 

July  21     Died  Sep.  10  '63,  Camp  Parole. 

Davis,  William  L. 

Norwich 

Aug.  15    Twice  wd.     M.  O.  June  27  '65. 

Deming,  Alfred  H. 

H 

Aug.  9     M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Draper,  Albion 

it 

Aug.  ii        "         "      27  '65, 

Draper,  George 

<< 

Aug    1  8    Discharged,  disability,  Oct.  22  '63 

Doyle,  Timothy  (). 

ii 

Aug.  ii    M.  O.  July  14*65,  Hartford,  Ct. 

Earle,  Ralph  W. 

Bozrah 

Aug.  6         "       May  30  '65,  York,  Pa. 

Eldridge,  Daniel  ]). 

Norwich 

Aug.  12        "       June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Fenton,  James  E. 

« 

Aug.  9         "      "  "      27  '65,        « 

Fuller,  Alden 

Griswold 

Aug.  ii                         20  '65, 

Fox,  George  W. 

Norwich 

July  26    Died  April  17  '65,  Martinsburg,  Va 

Green,  Francis  R. 

Griswold 

Aug.  7     Wd.   Died  April  17  '65,  Staunton. 

Green,  Nathan  B. 

Scotland 

Aug.  8     Died  Feb.  24  '64,  Martinsburg,  Va 

Guile,  Samuel  A. 

Preston 

July  30    Deserted  Aug,  i  '63. 

Humes,  Charles  L. 

Bozrah 

Aug.  8     Wd.  June  5  '64.   M.  O.  June  27  '65 

Hyde,  Henry  R. 

Franklin 

July  29    M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Howard,  William  H. 

Norwich 

Aug,  14       "         "      27  '65, 

Hicks,  James  W. 

u 

July  30     Died  April  13  '64,  Martinsburg,  Va 

Hyde,  John  P. 

« 

I  uly  12    M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Kenyon,  Edwin 

Canterbury 

Aug.  IT        "         "      27*65,         " 

Kinney,  William  H. 

Norwich 

Aug.  12       «         «      27*65, 

Loomis,  James  W. 

n 

Aug.  14   Disc.   Nov.   i  '64,   New  Haven,  Ct 

Lamb,  Horatio  R. 

Franklin 

Aug.  i      M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Ladd,  Daniel 

Norwich 

July  24        "         "      27  '65, 

Murray,  Charles  A. 

a 

July  12    Pr.  2d  Lt.   M.  O.  June  27  '65,  H.  F. 

M  off  at,  Nelson 

Griswold 

Aug    13  M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Marshall,  John 

Norwich 

Aug.  12        "     '    «     27  '65,        « 

Murphy,  Frank  E. 

a 

July  16        "         "     27   '65, 

Mowry,  Bernard  R.  O. 

52 

«.         u 

Aug.  7      Deserted  Aug.  i  '63. 

4IO 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                                        Remarks. 

Nicholson,  Levi  P. 

Preston 

July  25    M.  O.  June  27  '65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Olin,  Edward 

Griswold 

July  14        "         "      27  '65,         « 

Palmer,  Roswell 

Norwich 

Aug.  6                    "27  '65,        " 

Pearce,  Martin 

«  < 

Julyi6        «         «      27-65,        " 

Palmer,  Andrew 

u 

July  25               "     27,65,       « 

Palmer,  Almond  B. 

« 

Aug.  18        "          "      27  '65,                        « 

Rudden,  John 

Colchester, 

July  2  1                    "       27  '65, 

Spicer,  Erastus 

Griswold, 

Aug.  9          "          "       27  '65, 

Simmons,  John  H. 

Norwich, 

July  22                    "       27  '65, 

Spencer,  Orrin  N. 

Norwich 

July  30  M.  O.  June  27,  65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Setchel,  Charles  Tracy 

« 

Aug.  ii   Wd.  June  5/64,  M.  O.  June  27/65. 

Shurnway,  Millen 

" 

Aug.    9   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Sanders,  Ralph  G. 

« 

Aug.    2   Trans,  to  Invalid  Corps  Jan.  15/64 

Smith,  James 

(4 

Aug.    6  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Sheriden,  Cornelius  ¥. 

Colchester 

July  17   Killed  June  5/64,  Piedmont,  Va. 

Sullivan,  Timothy 

Griswold 

Aug.    4  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Sweet,  William  H. 

Ledyard 

Aug.    9        "         "       27/65, 

Trinnier,  Richard 

Norwich 

July  .4       "          "       27/65,        " 

Thurber,  Charles  V. 

u 

July  28  Wd;  June  5/64,  M.  O.  27/65 

Tefit,  Willian  H. 

u 

July  26   M.  O.  May  30/65,  York  Pa. 

Valentine,  John 

Canterbury 

July  29   Wd.  June  5/64,  M.  O.  June  27/65. 

West,  George  A. 

Preston 

Aug.    6   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Warren,  William 

Mansfield 

July  21               May  24/65,  Annap  June.,  Md. 

Wright,  Alanson 

Griswold 

Aug.    4  Deserted  June  T,  1865. 

Whaley,  George  G. 

Norwich 

Aug.  ii    M.  (  ).  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Weeks,  James  M.  Jr. 

Griswold 

Aug.    9  Killed  June  5/64,  Piedmont,  Va. 

Ward,  James 

Norwich 

July  1  6  M.  O.  June  27,65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Welden,  Leonard  P. 

Bo/rah 

Aug.    6       "         "     27/65, 

Whaley,  William  H. 

Preston 

|uly  25   Deserted  August  i,  1863. 

Wright,  Albert 

Griswold 

Aug.    4  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Wilber,  Daniel 

Norwich 

July  23  Accidentally  killed  Jan.  5,  1863. 

CO  ATP  ANY  G. 

Captain.  1862. 

GEORGE  W.  WARNER       Woodstock  July    9  Wd.     Discharged  Oct.  4/64. 

ist  Lieutenant. 

ISRAEL  N.    KIT.BE  Putnam  Aug.    6   Pr.  Cupt.  M.  O.  June  27/65,  H.  V. 

2d  Lieutenant. 

LUTHER  E.   RAWSON       Woodstock  Aug.    7   Resigned  Dec.  22/62. 


CONNECTICUT   VOLUNTEERS. 


Name  and  Hank. 

Sergeants. 

Albert  S.  Granger 
Prescott  M.  Lyon 
Edward  T.  Warner 
Daniel  A.  Lyon 
John  B.Scott 

Corporals. 

Charles  A.  Bosworth 
Samuel  L.  Marcy 
Moses  J.  Chandler 
Joseph  E.  Rawson 
Edwin  S.  Tabor 
Lucian  H.  Medbury 
James  Clapp 
Shrimpton  H.  Gallup 

Musicians. 
William  E.  Card 
Edward  Welch 

Wagoner. 
William  II.  Chamberlin 

Privates. 

A  Id  rich,  Charles  C. 
Arnold,  George  E. 
Adams,  Wellington  W. 
Bostow,  George 
Baker,  Darwin  W. 
Burrows,  Joseph 
Birch,  William  H. 
Brainard,  Michael 
Bundy,  Henry  M. 
Boutelle,  Lorestus  V. 
Bugbee,  George  F. 
Bundy,  Asa  H. 
Burrows,  Charles 
Blackmar,  Francis 
Burnes,  Robert 
Bercume,  Peter 
Chandler,  Seth  E. 
Cu minings,  William  W. 
Currier,  George 


Residence.        Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Putnam          July  31    Pr.  ist  Lt.  M.  O.  June  27/65,  H.  F. 

Woodstock  July  21  Discharged,  disability,  Dec.  22,  63. 
July  1 6  M.  O.  June  27/65  Harper's  Ferry, 
Aug.  9  Dis  for  appt. in  U.S. C.T., Feb. 24/64 

Putnam          Aug.     7   Killed  June  5/64,  Piedmont,  Va. 

WToodstock  Aug.    8  Died  Dec.  27, 62, Camp  Emory, Md. 

July  16  Died  July    15/63,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Putnam          Aug.    7  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Woodstock    July  10  "          "       27/65, 

July  21  Wd.    Died  Aug.22/63,A'apolis,Md. 

Fomfret         Aug.    7  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Woodstock    Aug.    8  "         "       27/65, 

Putnam          Aug.    7  Wd.  Disch'ed, disability,  May  4/65. 

Putnam          Aug.   6   M.  O.  May   19/65,  Frederick,   Md. 
Lebanon        Aug.  18  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Putnam          Aug.  u    M.  O.  June  7/65,  Jarvis   Hospital. 

Woodstock    Aug.    9  Trans. Vet.  Res. C'ps.  M.O.Aug  9/65 

Aug.    8  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Aug.    8   Died  Nov.  15/64,  Florence,  S.  C. 
Killingly        Aug.    8  Trans. Inv. Corps.  M.O.June  29/65. 
Windham      Aug.    4  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Woodstock    July  .6       "         "       27/65, 
Sprague         July  21    Discharged,  disability,  F^eb.   15/63. 
Bozrah  July  21    M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Putnam          Aug.    6       "          "       27/65, 
Woodstock    Aug.  16       "         "       27/65, 

Aug.    8       -          "       27/65,        " 

Aug.    8  Died   Feb.  6/63,  Baltimore,  Md. 

July  16   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Putnam          Aug.    8       "          "       27/65,        " 
Woodstock    Aug.  15    Deserted  Aug.  '63. 

July  21   Wd.   Trans.  Inv. Corps  Feb.  15/64. 

Aug.  12  M.  O.June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry 
Putnam  July  30  Wd.  Disc'd  May  27/65, N.Hav'n,Ct. 
Woodstock  July  12  Tran. Inv. Corps.  M.  O.  July  1 1/65. 


4I2 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Ilauk. 

J)avison,  Peter 
Davis,  Ichabod  C. 
Darby,  Daniel  R. 
Davenport,  Cyrus  C. 
Eddy,  Albert  S. 
Vox,  Walter  T. 
Foster,  Alonzo 
Gleason,  Lawrenc  F. 
Geruc,  Peter 
Hempstead,  Charles  J. 
Howard,  Willis  G. 
Howard,  George  E. 
Kinnie,  Thomas 
Ladd,  George  W. 
Leitcher,  Gilbert 
Lapoint,  Stephen 
Morrison,  John 
Main,  Gershom  P. 
Marcy,  John  N. 
Moore,  William  F. 
Newton,  Enoch  E. 
Neill,  Henry  P. 
Ockery,  Samuel  C. 
Oatley,  Stephen  H. 
Pettit,  Matthew 
Parsons,  Willard  O., 
Pickett,  George  W. 
Robinson,  Henry 
Redhead,  Frederick  W. 
Rawson,  Stiles 
Randall,  Prescott  J. 
Rogers,  Tracy 
Riley,  John 
Read,  Frank 
Smith,  Abner  P.,  Jr. 
Smith,  Henry  A. 
Sanders,  John 
Smith,  Joseph 
Snow,  William  N. 
Smith,  Hiram 


llcsideuce.        Date  Muster. 


Kemark.s. 


Woodstock 

Aug.    i 

« 

Aug.  2i 

Putnam 

Aug.    5 

Woodstock 

Aug.   8 

Putnam 

July  31 

Woodstock 

Aug.  i  2 

Putnam 

Aug.  1  1 

u 

Aug.  13 

Woodstock 

Aug.  13 

Wind  ham 

July  28 

Woodstock 

Aug.  i  2 

u 

Aug.  13 

Colchester 

July  25 

Tollarrd 

July  26  ' 

Woodstock 

July  26 

Putnam 

July  28 

(i 

July  19 

Wind  ham 

Aug.    6 

Woodstock 

July  1  6 

" 

July  18 

u 

July  26 

Norwich 

July  28 

Putnam 

July  26 

Killingly 

Aug.    9 

Woodstock 

July  16 

(i 

July  16 

Putnam 

Aug.    8 

« 

July  30 

Woodstock 

Aug.    5 

« 

Aug.    8 

Putnam 

Aug.    8 

« 

Aug.    6 

Windham 

July  30 

Putnam 

Aug.  12 

Woodstock 

July  17 

Killingly 

July  3°  ' 

Putnam 

Aug.    5 

Windham 

July  22 

.4 

July  26 

Tolland 

Aug.    6 

M.O.June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Wd.  and  captured  June  5/64. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  27/64. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
"       27/65,        " 
M       27/65,        " 
"       27/65,        " 

Wd.   M.O.May  18/65,  New  Haven. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
"      *  "      27/65,        " 

Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester, Va. 

Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  25/63. 

Tr.  In  v.Corps.M.O.J  un.  29/65, Phila. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
"       27/65,  M         "    " 

Mis.  in  action,  May  15/64.  Sup.d'd. 

Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  1/63. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
"         "       27/65,  "         « 

"       May  18/65,  New  Haven. 
June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Wd.  M.  O.  June  27/65,  " 

Killed  June  14/63,  Winchester.Va. 

Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  25/63. 

Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester,Va. 

«  u  «  <t  d 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"     "    27/65 

Died  Dec.  3/62,  at  camp  in  Md. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Wd.  M.  O.  June  27/65,  " 
Discharged,  disability,  Dec.  22/62. 
Wd.  M.O.  Jun.  27/65, Harper's  F'y. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Tr.In. Corps.  M.O.Jul.  14/65, Elmira. 
Disch'd  May  28/64,  New  Haven. 
M.  O.  May  31/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"       June  27/65, 
Wd.  M.  O.  May  30/65,  York. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


is'ame  and  Kaiik. 

Stone,  James  M. 
Scott,  John  G. 
Smith,  Wallace 
Spaulding,  Francis  M. 
Tuft,  Lowell 
Thornton,  Cyrus 
Tripp,  James  E. 
Underwood,  George  W. 
Whitney,  Josiah  W. 
Weeks,  Marquis  J. 
Walker,  Vernon  K. 
Wilcox,  Lowell 
Wells,  John   D. 
Weeks,  Benjamin  P. 
Wilcox,  John  H. 
Young,  Richmond  A. 


Itesideucc.        Date  Muster. 


Kemarks. 


Woodstock 
Wind  ham 
Woodstock 
Putnam 
Killingly 

Putnam 
tt 

Windham 
Putnam 
East  ford 
Woodstock 


East  ford 
Woodstock 


Aug.  9 
Aug.  7 
Aug.  i 
Aug.  6 
Aug.  14 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  2  i 
July  25 
Aug.  7 
Aug.  4 
July  i  2 
July  2  i 
Aug.  6 
July  1 6 
Aug.  30 
July  22 


M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Discharged,  disability,  May  14/64. 
Killed  June  15/63,   Winchester. 
M.  O.  May  17/65,  Grafton. 

June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
*"       27/65, 

Wd.  Dis.  May  27/65,  New   Haven. 
"     Died  Jan.  27/65,  Florence. 
Dis.  May  30/65,  Worcester. 
Killed  July  18/64,  Snicker's  F'y. 
M.  ().  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
"          "       27/65,  "         "    ' 

"       27/65,  "         " 

11       27/65, 

Died  July  20/64,  w'ds  rec.  in  ac'n. 
Trans,  to  Inv.  Corps  Sept.  30/63. 


COMPANY  //. 


Captain. 
CHARLES  D.  BOWEN        Windham 

1st  Lieutenant. 
JAMES  F.  LONG,  JR.          Windham 

2d  Lieutenant. 


1862. 
July  22 


Wd.  June  15/64.  M.O.  June  27/65 
July  24   Resigned  November  9/62. 
ANDREW  W.  LOOMIS         Tolland         July  22    Pr.  ist  Lt. Nov. 9/62. M.O. June  27*65 


Sergeants. 


Windham 


William  H.  Locke 

George  E.  Jordan 

Thomas  Spencer 

Chester  A.  Tourtelott      Tolland 

Albert  S.  Blish  Windham 

Corporals. 

Sanford  A.  Comins          Windham 
John  E.  Barrows 
Hezekiah  Thompson 
Seth  S.  Chapman  Chaplin 

William  H.  Boyden          Windham 
Thomas  Jordon 
Charles  H.  Chase 
William  J.  Whiteside       Coventry 


July  12  '   2d  Lt.             Hon. dis  May  15*65 

July  22  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  22  "          "       27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  21  Died  of  wds  Aug.  i5/64,I/chb'g,Va. 

July  24  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  24  Wd.  June  5/64.     M.O.  June  27/65. 

Aug.    5  M.O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  24  "         ''      27/65, 

Aug.    5  Died  Sept.  17/63,  Annapolis,  Md. 

July  22  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

July  24  "         "      27/65, 

Aug.    4  Deserted  April  11/63. 

July  29  Wd.  June  15/63.  M.O.  June  27/65. 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 

Musicians 

William  W.  Perry 

Van  Buren  Jordan 

Wagoner. 

George  W.  Herrick 

2yrivates. 

Adams,  Russell  W. 

Adams,  John  Q. 

Apley,  Henry 

Ashley,  Earl 

Apley,  Andrew  J. 

Bingham,  Elsworth  W. 

Barber,  Charles  A. 

Buchanan,  Moses 

Briggs,  George  S. 

Buckley,  Alfred 

Babcock,  Courtland,  Jr. 

Buckingham,  Win.  H. 

Bennett,  Nathaniel  W. 

Bull,  George  A. 
Backus,  Albert  H. 

Blivin,  George  R. 

Brooks,  Charles  U. 
Brown,  William  B. 
Cushman,  Jznart  P. 
Connor,  Thomas 
Colburn,  Jonathan  S. 
Carney,  James 
Crandall,  Amos  G. 
Carney,  John 
Dean,  William 
Dawley,  Andrew  H. 
Dilliber,  Andrew  N. 
Eaton,  Eben  R. 
Farnham,  Martin  V.  B. 
Fenton,  Anson  A. 
Foss,  Ambrose 
Farnham,  D wight  C. 
Gurley,  Franklin  E. 
Gleason,  Willbur  H. 


Residence.        Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Windham      July  23   M.  O.  May  18/65,  New  Haven,  Ct. 
July  24       -         «      ,8/65, 

Windham       July  24   M.  O.  May  30/65,  York,  Pa. 


Tolland         July  31 


Chaplin 

Aug.    5 

" 

Aug.    4 

•" 

Aug.    4 

" 

Aug.    4 

" 

Aug.    5 

Tolland 

July  22 

Wind  hUm 

July  23 

" 

July  26 

u 

July  23 

" 

Aug.    6 

a 

July  21 

" 

July  25 

u 

July  J  2 

Windham 

July  26 

u 

July  22 

Tolland 

Aug.    6 

" 

July  22 

Windham 

Aug.    5 

" 

July  16 

Chaplin 

Aug.    6 

Windham 

July  23 

'* 

July  28 

tt 

Aug.    9 

Flampton 

Aug.    7 

Windham 

Aug.    5 

" 

Aug-    5 

" 

July  28 

Tolland 

July  24 

Chaplin 

Aug.    2 

Coventry 

Aug.    i 

Tolland 

Aug.    i 

Chaplin 

Aug.    4 

Windham 

Aug.    5 

Died  Aug.  8/63,  Annapolis,  Md. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Died  Jan.  9/64,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester, Va. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Wd.  July  18/64.   M.O.  June  27/65 
Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester,Va. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Tr.I.C'ps  May  15/64. M.O.  July  15 '65 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"       27>'65> 

May  18/65,  New  Haven,  Ct. 
Wd.J  une  5/64.  I). Oct.  13/64,  An  'vie 
Trans.  V.  R.  C.     M.O.  June  28/65. 
M.  O.July  5/65,  Hartford,  Ct. 
Wd.June  15/63.  M.O.  June  27/65. 

"     May  15/64.     "        "      27/65. 

"  June  5/64.  Disc.dis.Mar.25'65 
Died  April  7/63,  Baltimore,  Md. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Died  Feb.  15/65,  Danville,  Va. 
Wd.  June  5/64.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
"  18/64.  "  "  27/65. 
Kid. July  18/64, Snicker's  Ferry, Va. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Discharged,  disability,  Oct.  14/62. 
Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester,Va. 
Wd.  May  15/64.  M.O.June  27/65. 

"  June  5/64.  "  "  27/65. 
Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester, Va. 
Deserted  May  13/63. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Died  Oct.  17/64,  Cumberland,  Md. 
Tr. I. Cor. Jan.  15/64,  M.O.  Jul. 2/65. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


Name  and  Ilnnk. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                                        Remarks. 

Gager,  John  F. 

Coventry 

Aug.    5   Died  Feb.  15/65,  Florence,  S.  C. 

Green,  Amos  I*. 

« 

Aug.   5   Tr.I.Cor.Feb.i5,'64.M.O.Jul.i4,'65. 

Golding,  Joseph 

Windham 

July  23   Died  Oct.   i  r/64,  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Griggs,  William  W. 

Ellington 

Aug.    i   Wd.  June  5/64.    Died  June  15/64. 

Grundy,  John 

Windham 

Aug.    i   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Holland,  Eber  S. 

" 

[uly  22   Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  25/63. 

Harris,  Horatio  A. 

u 

j»iy  24                                      5/63. 

Harris,  George  I). 

M 

fuly  23  Wd.  June  15/63.  M.  O.  Jun.  27/65. 

Haskell,  Charles 

« 

July  25   Died  Feb.  19/65,  Salisbury,  N.  C. 

Harrington,  Francis  S. 

Coventry 

Aug.    5   Wd.  June/63.     M.  O.  June  27/65  < 

Hall,  William  H. 

Windham 

Aug.    6           May  15/64.  Killed  May  20/64. 

Hall,  Origen 

" 

Aug.    8  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Heverin,  Patrick  J. 

tt 

July  23  Wd.  May  15/64.  M.O.  June  27/65. 

Johnson,  Richard  AT. 

u 

July  23   M.  O.  June  27/65.  Harper's  Ferry 

Kenyon,  Otis  G. 

tt 

Aug.    4       "         "       27/65, 

Kenworthy,  Joseph 

It 

July  23  AVd.  July  18/64.  Disch.  June  9,  '65. 

Lewis,  William 

tt 

July  23  WTd.  May  15/64.  Died  Sep.  7/64. 

Lewis,  Francis  E. 

« 

Aug.    6   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Feriy. 

Lewis,  Charles  11. 

n 

Aug.    5    Discharged,  disability,  Sep.  20/63. 

Long,  James  F. 

it 

July  24                          May  28/64.    S.O.W.l). 

Metcalf,  Job 

tt 

July  24  Wrd.  June  15/64.  M.O.June  27/65. 

Miller,  Frederick 

Toll  and 

July  29   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Newcomb,  Lucius  11. 

Coventry 

July  29   Died  Feb.  13/65,  Danville,  Va. 

Niles,  John 

Franklin 

[uly  15   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Pilling,  James 

Windham 

July  23      -        «      27/65, 

Perkins,  Joseph  M. 

n 

Aug.    4                          27/65, 

Palmer,  Pierce 

Tolland 

July  24  Tr.  Inv.  Corps  Sept.  30/63. 

Reffelt,  Frederick 

Coventry 

July  29   M.  (  ).  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Rogers,  Kmery  1). 

Tolland 

Aug.    6  Wd.  Dis.  June  3,Y>5,ap.in  U.S.C.T. 

Ripley,  Edward  F. 

Windham 

July  22  Tr.In.Cor.Mayi,'64:M.O.JuJ.  21/65. 

Robinson,  John  M. 

Coventry 

Aug.    6   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferrv. 

Robertson,  Lacon  W. 

« 

Aug.    5       "         "      ^7/75, 

Sullivan,  Dennis 

Windham 

July  24  Wd.  June  5/64.   M.  O.  June  27*65. 

Snell,  Alfred  A. 

Tolland 

July  25    Died  Aug.  25/63,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Smith,  Lester  C. 

Chaplin 

Aug.    5       "     July  26/64,  Martinsburg,  Va. 

Shay,  John 

Windham 

July  1  8  Deserted  Aug.  27/63. 

Sweet,  Daniel  K. 

Thompson 

July  26  Wd.  June  5/64.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 

Thomas,  Edwin 

Windham 

Aug.    7   Died  June  4/63,  Willimantic,  Ct. 

Tracy,  Alfred  E. 

Tolland 

July  30  Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester,  Va. 

Tracy,  Henry  G. 

Coventry 

Aug.    6  Wd.  July  18/64.  M.O.  June  27/65. 

4i 6  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank.                      Residence.  Date  Muster.  Remarks. 

Wilson,  Albert  C.  Windham  July  25   M.  O.  May  19/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Watts,  Joseph  Aug.    4       u      June  27/65, 

Webster,  John  R.  Tolland  July  21       "         "       27/65, 

Wise,  Jacob  Coventry  July  29  Deserted  Aug.,  1863. 

Weldon,  Alonzo  Thompson  July  26  Wounded  and  captured  June  5/64. 

Wilber,  Amariah  Coventry  July  26   Died  May  3/65,  Wilmington,  N.  C- 

Williams,  Everett  Willington  Aug.    7   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Wilber,  George  H.  Coventry  Aug.    5   Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  14/63. 

COMPANY  L 


Captain.  1862. 

SAMUEL  R.  KNAPP          Norwich  Aug.  21  Resigned  June  6/63. 

ist  Lieutenant. 

JOHN  H.  MORRISON  Aug.  21  Pro.  Capt.   Dismissed  Sep.  1/64. 

2d  Lieutenant. 

MARTIN  V.  B.  TIFFANY  Aug.  21  Wd.  Pro.  Capt.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 

Sergeants. 

John  Lilley  Aug.  14  Wd.  Pro.  Capt.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 

James  R.  Pilkenton          Middletown  Aug.  20  Deserted  August  26/64. 

Bently  Shaw                      Norwich  Aug.    4  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Allen  L.  Moore  Aug.  13  "         "       27/65, 

James  A.  Allen  July  30  "                 27/65, 

Corporals. 

William  Finken  Aug.    6  "         "       27/65, 

George  Cook                      Preston  Aug.  14  27/65, 

Gardner  .\.  Lewin           Putnam  Aug.    5  Deserted  May  4/63. 

Daniel  E.  Beebe               Norwich  Aug.    5  M.  O.  May  30/65,  York,  Pa. 

Sebastian  P.  Kepler,  Aug.  12  Wd.  M.O.June  2 7/65, Harper's  F'y. 

Charles  Derby,  Aug.    4  M.  ().             "    27/65, 

Isaac  Roath                        Preston  July  30  Wd.  M.O.      "    27/65, 

Henry  D.  Gleuson            Norwich  Aug.    6  "     Capt'd  "     i  r/64,Staunton,Va. 

Musician. 

Harvey  L.  Muzzy  May  30  M.O.             "     10/65,  Hartford. 

Wagoner. 

Henry  Frink                     Plainfield  July  30  "                "    27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Privates. 

Albee,  William  IT.             Lyme  Aug.    8  Wd.  M.  O.    "     27/65, 

Acksler,  Adam                   Norwich  July  15  "    Died  Oct.  5/64,  Madisonville. 

Brown,  Wheaton                Sprague,  July  22  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


417 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                                        Remarks. 

Bigelow,  James  S. 

Sprague 

July  22   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Beckwith,  Charles  H. 

Norwich 

[uly  30  Died  December  1/62,  Norwich. 

Bogue,  Jabez  H. 

Lyme 

Aug.    8  Killed  June  5/64,  Piedmont,  Va. 

Bliss,  William  H. 

Plainfield 

Aug.    5   M.  O.            27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Bliss,  Levi  C. 

it 

Aug.    5       "         "      27/65, 

Bingham,  Charles  K. 

Canterbury 

July  25  Deserted  Sept.  9/62. 

Benjamin,  James  K. 

Preston 

Aug.    8  Wd.  M.  O.  June  23/65,  Annapolis. 

Biggs,  Abram 

Norwich 

Aug.    4  Deserted  Nov.  11/64. 

Barnes,  William 

Tolland 

July  24  Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  8/63. 

Carpenter,  Judson  T. 

Mansfield 

July  17                                          Dec.   23/62. 

Corey,  John  F. 

Norwich 

Aug.    7   Wd.  M.O.June27/65,Harper'sF'y. 

Couch,  Thomas  T. 

Griswold 

Aug.    7   M.  0.         "       27/65,        " 

Carl,  Martin 

Norwich 

Aug.    8  Died  Sep.  25/64,  Sandy  Hook,  Md. 

Church,  Charles  H. 

Lyme 

Aug.    7   M.  O.  July  25/65,  York,  Pa. 

Clark,  Lucius  1*. 

Mansfield 

July  21                [une  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Donahue,  Daniel 

Sprague 

July  22       "        •"       27/65, 

Dean,  Andrew 

Tolland 

July  17       "         *      27/65, 

Eccleston,  Thomas  H. 

Preston 

Aug.  10       "         "      27/65, 

Earl,  William  R. 

Sprague 

Aug.  i  T        "         "      27/65, 

Gordon,  Archibald 

Brooklyn 

Aug.  19  Discharged,  disability,  May  18/64. 

Green,  Palmer  S. 

Griswolci 

Aug.    8  Wd.  M.O.  June  27/65,  Harper'sF'y. 

Hall,  William  S. 

Lyme 

Aug.    9  M.  O.                   27/65, 

Harris,  George  W. 

Preston 

July  19   Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  15/63. 

Hall,  William 

Norwich 

Aug.  1  1   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Hall,  Charles  H. 

Lyme 

Aug.    9       -         "       27/65, 

Hayes,  William 

Norwich 

Aug.    2  Deserted  December  16/62. 

Handy,  Hiram 

Griswold 

Aug.    7   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Hall,  Harvey 

Lyme 

Aug.    8       "       "  "       27/65, 

Herrick,  John  P. 

Griswold 

Aug.    8  Died  Jan.  26/64,  Martinsburg,  Va. 

Hills,  Herman 

Norwich 

Aug.    8  Deserted  Aug.  30/62. 

Higginbothom,  D.  P. 

Coventry 

July  18  Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  8/63. 

Kent,  Harrison  A. 

Willington 

Aug.    6    M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Lathrop,  Joseph  O. 

Norwich 

Aug.    6  Wd.M.O.  "    27/65, 

Leary,  Timothy 

Griswold 

July  26  Discharged,  disability,  Dec.  16/63. 

Laferty,  James 

Norwich 

Aug.  ii   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Linton,  Benjamin 

Griswold 

Aug.    2   Discharged  Dec.  27/62. 

Long,  John 

Norwich 

July  15   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Miller,  Charles  S. 

Sprague 

Aug.  13  Wd.  M.  O.  May  20/65,  Frederick. 

McEvvin,  Hugh 

" 

Aug.    9  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry 

Miner,  Charles  C. 

Lyme 

Aug.    8  Discharged,  disability,  April  28/63. 

4i8 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster.                                        Remarks. 

Morfitt,  James 

Killingly 

Aug.    5   M.  O.  July  25/65,  York,  Pa. 

Newcomb,  Jason 

Tolland 

July  23                         May  18/65,  NewHaven. 

Peckham,  Gardner  C. 

Lyme 

Aug.    8               June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Peter,  William 

Norwich 

July  28  Deserted  Aug.  30/62. 

Porter,  Charles  F. 

Tolland 

July  17   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Quinley,  James  K.  P. 

Lyme 

Aug.    8       "         "       27/65, 

Quigley,  Edward 

Griswold 

Aug.  21   Discharged,  disability,  Mar.  8/63. 

Ringross,  Michael 

Norwich 

July  28  Discharged  Nov.  23/63. 

Rand,  William  G. 

Lyme 

Aug.    9  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Rogers,  Henry 

Griswold 

Aug.  ii       «         «       27/65, 

Robertson,  William 

Sprague 

Aug.  13       "         "       27/65, 

Robbins,  Miner 

Plainfield 

July  25       "         "       27/65, 

Spencer,  James  G. 

Preston 

Aug.    7       "        •«       27/65, 

Stocking,  Theodore  B. 

Norwich 

Aug.  ii       "         "       27/65, 

Spaulding,  Edwin 

Preston 

Aug.  12  Wd.  M.  O.  June  27/65,  " 

Stanton,  Solomon 

Plainfield 

Aug.  10  M.  O.  June  27/65, 

Steers,  Thomas  A. 

Norwich 

Aug.  21       "         «       27/65,           "         " 

Taylor,  William  H. 

« 

July  14   Discharged  June   1/64. 

Thornhill,  William  S. 

Sprague 

Aug.    9  Wd.  M.O.June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Wallace,  William 

Norwich 

Aug.  14  Deserted  August  22/62. 

Wilber,  John  A. 

*• 

Aug.  17   Wd.  Dischd.,  disability,  May  8/65. 

Woodward,  Elisha  A. 

Canterbury 

July  20  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Wright,  Franklin  S. 

Norwich 

Aug.  17   Discharged,  disability,  Jan.  26/65. 

Wild,  Lineaus 

Griswold 

Aug.  ii   Wd.  June  5/64.  Cap.  June  11/64. 

Williams,  David 

Willington 

Aug.  17     "         "     5/64.   M.  0.  July  5/65. 

COM  PAN  Y  K. 


Captain. 
EZRA  J.  MATTHEWSON    Killingly 

ist  Lieutenant. 
GEORGE  KIES 

2d  Lieutenant. 

ASAHEL  G.  SCRANTON 

Sergeants. 

Atwood  Kimball 
Reuben  W.  Scott 
Walter  Young 
Jerome  B.  Cahoone 


1862. 

Aug.  8  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Aug.  TO  "  "      27/65, 

Aug.  5  "  "      27/65,         " 

Aug.  8  "  -      27/65,         " 

Plainfield       Aug.  9  "  "      27/65, 

Aug.  7  Killed  Jan.  6/63,  Havre  de  Grace. 

Aug.  9  "  June  5/64,  at  Piedmont,  Va. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


419 


Name  and  Rank. 

Corporals. 
Joseph  D.  Hall 
Alonzo  B.  Potter 
George  H.  Curtiss 
Joseph  F.  (Griffiths 
James  L.  Adams 
Charles  Bartlett 
Erastus  K.  Potter 
Alfred  Pray 

Musicians. 
Daniel  Pray 
Daniel  G.  Bennett 

Wagoner. 
William  Comins 

Privates. 

Adams,  William  H. 
Burroughs,  Cyrus 
Bassett,  Thomas  D. 
Burdick,  Asher 
Brown,  George 
Bowes,  Edward  E. 
Burnham,  Oliver  B. 
Bates,  Sheldon,  Jr., 
Billington,  Randall 
Bowen,  Jabez  L. 
Bowen,  Leonard 
Baker,  Albert 
Babson,  Henry  VV. 
Bartlett,  Almond 
Bates,  Thomas  T. 
Burroughs,  Cyrus,  Jr., 
Burns,  John  W. 
Curtis,  Rufus  D. 
Crandall,  Thomas 
Covell,  Arba  R. 
Champlin,  Oliver  W. 
Casey,  Michael 
Chase,  Frank  A. 
Carder,  James  A. 
Day,  Charles 


Residence.        Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Killingly        Aug.  13  Wd.  June  5/64.  M.  O.  June  27*65. 

Aug.    8  M.  C).  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Brooklyn       Aug.    5       "         "      27/65, 
Killingly        Aug.    9       '<         "      15/65, 
Plainfield       Aug.    9       "         "      27/65, 
Killingly        Aug.    9  Died  Feb.  20/64,  Richmond,  Va. 

Aug.   9  M.  O.  June,  21/65,  Anapolis,    Md. 

Aug.    9  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

Plainfield       Aug.    9       "         "      27/65, 

Killingly        Aug.    9  Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester,  Va. 

Aug.    9  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 


27/65, 

Trans.  Vet.  Res.  Corps  Mch.  4/64, 
Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  15/64. 
M.  O.  [une  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

-  "   27/65,     " 
"   27/65, 

Died  of  wds.  Feb.  12/64,  Mart'bg. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Deserted  Sept.  2,  1863. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Wd.  June  63.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"      27/65,         " 

Wd.  June  '63.   M.  O.  June  27/65. 
Wd.  July  18/64.     " 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry, 

-  "    27/65,     " 

Wd.  June  5/64.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
M.  O.  June  26/64,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"       27/65, 

Wd.  July  18/64.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"  "  27/65,  " 
"  •"  27/65, 
"  "  27/65,  " 


t( 

July  31 

(( 

July  27 

u 

Aug.    4 

t< 

Aug.    5 

« 

Aug.    6 

« 

Aug.    8 

a 

Aug.  13 

^t 

Aug.    8 

(I 

Aug.    9 

H 

Aug.    9 

II 

Aug.    9. 

« 

Aug.    9 

<i 

Aug.    9 

a 

Aug.    9 

(( 

Aug.  13 

a 

Aug.  13 

a 

Aug.    8 

« 

Aug.    i 

(t 

Aug.    8 

(i 

Aug.    7 

Plainfield 

Aug.    7 

Killingly 

Aug.    8 

a 

Aug.  1  1 

« 

Aug.  ii 

H 

Aug.    9 

420 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 

Duprey,  John  H. 
Fisk,  Erastus  E. 
Goodell,  William 
Griffiths,  Charles  K. 
Grave?,  Edwin  P. 
Glinn,  John 
Handy,  Davis  U. 
Harrington,  Ira 
Hughes,  John 
Handy,  Francis  H. 
Harrington,  William  B. 
Halleck,  Moses 
James,  Roland  R. 
Jackson,  Jerome  A. 
Jordan,  Denison  P. 
Keach,  John 
King,  Benoni 
Kelly,  John 

Leavens,  William  H.  H. 
Law,  Parris  M. 
Moffit,  Eber,  Jr., 
Miller,  Jabez 
McDougal,  Daniel 
Miller,  James  D. 
Niles,  Sumner 
Niles,  Edmund 
Newell,  William  H. 
Potter,  James 
Penry,  John 
Penry,  Charles  O. 
Pike,  Reuben  A. 
Pike,  John 
Robbins,  Albert 
Reynolds,  Charles 
Sharkey,  Robert 
Short,  Levi  M. 
Sweet,  William  W. 
Sullivan,  Lawrence 
Scholes,  Robert 
Smith,  Barnard 


Residence.        Date  Muster. 


Killingly 

Aug.    8 

(i 

Aug.    9 

K 

Aug.    8 

a 

Aug.  13 

« 

Aug.    3 

u 

Aug.    9 

(( 

Aug.  10 

« 

Aug.  13 

Plainfield 

Aug.    9 

Killingly 

Aug.    5 

Sterling 

Aug.    7 

Killingly 

Aug.    8 

u 

Aug.    9 

u  • 

Aug.    i 

Plainfield 

Aug.    9 

Killingly 

Aug.    9 

« 

Aug.    5 

u 

July  30 

Plainfield 

Aug.    4 

Killingly 

Aug.  13 

ic 

Aug.    8 

u 

Aug.    8 

u 

Aug.    5 

u 

Aug.    9 

u 

Aug.  13 

u 

Aug.  13 

« 

Aug.    8 

u 

Aug.    8 

u 

Aug.  13 

u 

Aug.  13 

Plainfield 

Aug.    7 

(i 

Aug.    7 

Brooklyn 

Aug.    8 

Plainfield 

Aug.  13 

Killingly 

Aug.    7 

« 

Aug.    9 

Plainfield 

Aug.    4 

Killingly 

Aug.    8 

« 

Aug.    7 

if 

Aug.  ii 

Remarks. 

Deserted  Aug.  16,  1863. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"         "      27/65, 
*      27/65, 

"         "       27/65, 

Wd.  June  5/64.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
5/64.       "      May  18/65. 
Tr.  V.  R.  C.    M.  O.  Aug.  13/65. 
Deserted  June  18,  1863. 
Discharged,  disability,   Feb.  3/64. 
Deserted  May  13,  1863, 
Dis.  Feb.  22/64,  order  Sec.  of  War. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"         "      27/65,         " 
Wd.Tr.Inv.  Corps.  M.  O.July  3/65. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"      May  25/65,Worcester,  Mass. 
Discharged  June  9,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"         "      27/65, 

Discharged,  disability,  Mch.   2/63. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"         "      27/65,         " 
"      27/65. 

"         "      27/65,         " 

2/65,  Jar.  U.S.A.Hos. 
Wd.  June  5/64.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Died  Nov.  28/62,  Havre  de  Grace. 
Wd.  June  5.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Discharged  Nov.  26,  1863. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Deserted  Aug.  i,  1863. 
Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester,  Va. 
Wd.  June  5/64.     Died  June  30/64. 
Discharged,  disability,  June  15/63. 
Dec.   19/63. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Deserted  May  23,  1863. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


421 


Name  and  Rank. 

Sweet,  John  H. 
Short,  Daniel  S. 
Smith,  Samuel 
Smith,  James  M. 
Smith,  Almanzo  M. 
Sparks,  Henry  K. 
Trask,  Albert  D. 
Taylor,  William  A. 
Taylor,  Henry  G. 
Wade,  Henry  L. 
Wilmot,  Felix  W. 
Wood,  Franklin 
Wilson,  George  L. 
Walker,  Lewis 
Young,  James  H. 
Young,  Maxcy 
Young,  Charles 


Residence. 

Killingly 


Plainfield 

Sterling 
« 

Porn  fret 
Killingly 


Pomfret 
Killingly 


Date  Muster. 

Aug.  5 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  5 
Aug.  ]  i 
Aug.  i  L 
Aug.  i  \ 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  10 
July  29 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  8 
Aug.  10 


Remarks. 


M.  (.).  May  19/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Discharged,  disability,  Mch.  2/63. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Killed  in  act'n  July  18/64,  S.  F.Va- 
Wd.  June  5/64.  M.  O.  June  27/65. 
M.  C).  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 

"       27/65, 

11      27/65,         " 

11       27/65, 

"       27/65, 

Deserted  Dec.  8,  1862. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry. 
Disch.  May  19/65,  New  Haven,  Ct. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  Ferry 

11       27/65, 

Discharged,  disability,  July   1863. 
Wd.  June/63. Dis.disab.,  June  8/65. 


422 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


RECRUITS. 


COMPANY  A. 


Name  arid  Rank. 

Allen,  Alonzo  N. 
Allen,  Charles 
Baker,  Erastus 
Brown,  Francis 
Congdon,  Benjamin 
Carver,  William 
Clark,  John 
^Carpenter,  Daniel 
Dewing,  James 
Jones,  Thomas  F. 
Johnson,  William  H. 
McDavitt,  Arthur 
McKackine,  James 
Phinney,  John 
Weils,  Joseph  A. 
Wetherel,  Benjamin  S. 


Residence.        Date  Muster. 


Remarks. 


Canterbury 

Norwich 

Canterbury 

Stonington 

Lebanon 

Norwich 
« 

On  roll 
Canterbury 
Bridgeport 
Canterbury 
Stonington 
Putnam 
Canterbury 
Marlboro' 
Norwich 


Jan.  4/64 
Dec.28/64 
Dec. 29, '63 
Jan. 17/65 
Jan.  2/64 
Apr.2i/64 
Dec. 24/64 
Feb.28/65 
Dec  29/63 


Dec.29/63 
Jan. 17/65 
Jan. 18/65 
Jan.  4/64 
"Dec.3i/64 
Jan.  3/65 


M.O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"         "    27/65,         " 

"     May  31/65, 

"     June  27/65, 

11  27/65,  "  -  " 
Dishon.  discharged  May  8/65. 
M.O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"     "  27/65,     •• 
"  27/65, 

Killed  June  15/63,  Winchester. 
M.O.  May  31/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"     June  27/65, 

"         "    27/65,  "         " 

"         "    27/65,  -         « 

"         "    27/65, 

14         "    27/65,  "         M 


Armington,  Samuel 
Armington,  Charles 
Blanchard,  C.  F.  C. 
demons,  George 
Durfee,  Leonard 

*Substitutc  or  drafted. 


COMPANY  B. 

Killingly 


Dec. 31/63  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Dec.3i/63       "         "    27/65, 

Feb.   5/64       "         "    27/65, 

Jan. 25/64       "         "    27/65, 

Dec.  3/63  Discharged  disability  Oct.  13/64. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


423 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence.        Date  Mustei-.                                        Remarks. 

Jencks,  Albert  L. 

Sterling          Dec.    7/63  M.  O.  June  7/65,  Jarvis  Hosp. 

Knowlton,  George  H. 

Nov.  23,  '63  Trans.  July  15/64,  to  i5th  Ct. 

McRoy,  William 

Lebanon        Mar.    2/64  Died  Oct.  27/64,  Annapolis. 

Ninis,  William 

Mar.    2/64  M.  O.July  15/65, 

Smith,  Charles  W. 

Killingly        Dec.   3/63       u     June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Smith,  Elisha 

Dec.    1/63       "         "    27/65, 

Smith,  John  F. 

Feb.29/64       "         "    27/65, 

Sherman,  Willet  H. 

Lebanon        Mar.  2/64       k'         "    27/65, 

COMPANY     C. 

Adams,  Judson  M.  L. 

Killingly        Feb.    5/64  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Brown,  Benjamin  B. 

Lebanon        Dec.  30/63       (i      May  18/65,  New  Haven. 

Bates,  Charles  E. 

Thompson     Jan.    4/64  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Burnham,  James  T. 

Willimantic  Dec  30/63  Killed  June  5/64,  Piedmont,  V. 

Cady,  James 

Woodstock    Dec.  1  6/63   M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Cryne,  Martin 

Windham      Jan.    5/64       "         "    27/65, 

Connell,  Joseph 

Norwich         Jan.  25/64  Disch.  disab.  June  21/65,  N.  H. 

Corey,  Richmond 

Lebanon        Mar.  16/64                            March  25/65. 

*Crudy,  Patrick 

Pomfret         Sept.  2/64  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Fry,  Joseph  R. 

Hartford        Dec.2i/63       "         "    27/65, 

Gamble,  James 

Canterbury    Dec.  2  1/63                  "     27/65, 

Gott,  Gilbert  H. 

Colchester     Jan.  23/64  Died  Aug.  30/64,  Andersonville. 

Gordon,  Frank  H. 

Dec.  30/63  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Haggerty,  James 

Windham       Jan.    5/64       "          "     27/65, 

Hauerwas,  Ludwig 

Lebanon        Dec.  22/63   Disch.  disab.   May  6/65,  N.  H. 

Lee,  Charles  C. 

Norwich        Dec.  24/63  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Lombard,  Orvando 

Lebanon        Jan.  15/64       "         "    27/65, 

Loomis,  Thomas  A. 

Feb.    5/64       "         «    27/65, 

McNamara,  Patrick 

Norwich        Jan.    1/64  Died  January  19,  1865. 

Munroe,  Thomas 

Sprague          Feb.  11/64  M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

Trueman,  Frank  M. 

Norwich        Dec.  16/63  Deserted  November  27,  1864. 

Warren,  John  E. 

Woodstock    Dec.  16/63  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Withey,  William  H. 

New  Haven  Dec.   2/63       "         *'    27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Wolf,  Aaron 

Lebanon        Dec.  31/63   Deserted  June  2,  1865. 

Washburn,  Edwin 

Feb.  5/64  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

*  Substitute  or  drafted. 

424 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


Name  and  Rank. 


Aldrich,  Frederick  A. 
Buck,  George  C. 
Brayton,  Charles  E. 
Buckley,  James  p\ 
Bickford,  Vernon 
Babbitt,  Allen 
Buck  Joseph  VV. 
Bates,  Samuel  H. 
Bradley,  Mitchell 
Converse,  Joel  T. 
Clark  Patrick 
Dodge,  George  W. 
*Ellis,  Lutus  C. 
Fox,  David  C. 
Green.  Lyman  W. 
Grealy,  John 
*Griggs,  Stephen  A. 
Handy,  William  H. 
Long,  Edward 
Miller,  Melancthon  ?. 
O'Donnell,  George 
Sanford,  John 
Wakeley,  Clarence 


Kesirlence.        Date  Muster. 

COMPANY  D. 


Komarks. 


'Thompson  Aug.  18*64 
Dec.  1/63 
Dec.  1/63 
Nov.  2/63 
Dec.  14/63 
Dec.i4,'63 

Woodstock  Dec. 2 1/63 
Thompson  Jan.  4/64 
Plainfield  Sept.  9/64 
Thompson  Jan.  4/64 
Norwich  Feb.  29, '64 
Eastford  Dec.  10/63 
Stonington  Aug.  9/64 
Woodstock  Jan.  29/64 
New  LondonSept. 10/63 
Hampton  Feb.  25/64 
Aug.  1 8/64 

Franklin  Aug.  5/64 
Apr.  16/63 

Thompson  Apr.  13/64 
Apr.  16/63 

Groton  Feb.  25/64 

Waterbury     Jan.  17/65 


M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"         "    27/65,  "         « 

Trans,  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  7,  1865. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
"      "   "    27/65, 
"         "    27/65,  «         « 

"     27/65, 

"    27/65,  "         « 

"    27/65, 

Wd.  and  captured  June  5/64. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
Died  Oct.  11/64,  Florence,  S.  C. 
Deserted  November  14,  1864. 
Disch.  disab.  Aug.  18/65,  N.  H. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
"      "    27,'6s,          "         " 
"    27/65, 

"    27,'65, 
Deserted  September  i,  1863. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
Deserted  September  T,  1863. 
Deserted  November  14,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 


COMPANY  JR. 


Clark,  Albert  A. 
Clark,  Henry  G. 
Fogtmau,  John 
Lewis,  Horatio  H. 
McKenna,  Tole 
Martin  James  F. 
Palmer,  Frank  J. 
Snow,  Hiram 
Simson,  William 
Wallace,  Michael 

*  Substitute  or  drafted. 


Bozrah           Dec.   7/63  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Wethersfield  Oct.    4/64  "         "    27/65, 

Colchester     Jan.    4/64  Disch.  disab.  May  27,  1865. 

Columbia       April  9/63  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
Woodstock    Sept. 28/64  Deserted. 

Middletown  Nov. 26, '64  M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Colchester     Jan.    4/64  Disch.  dis.  Nov.  1/64,  N.  H. 

Dec.22/63  "         "     March  25,  1865. 

Saybrook       Nov. 2 2/64  Deserted  January  6,  1865. 

Canterbury    Sept. 27/64  Deserted. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


425 


COMPANY  F. 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster. 

Avery,  Northam  V.  D. 

East  Haven 

Dec.   2/64 

Edwards,  Thomas  L. 

Montville 

Jan.    4/64 

Edwards,  Alfred 

" 

Jan.    4/64 

Me  Mah  on,  Thomas 

Norwich 

No  v.i  6/63 

Miner,  Sylvester  P. 

Bozrah 

Jan.    2/64 

McGrath,  John 

Norwich 

Jan.    6/64 

Mahoney,  Dennis  I). 

Colchester 

Jan.    5/64 

Martin,  James  W. 

Ledyard 

Apr.    7/64 

Nugent,  James 

Colchester 

Jan.    5/64 

Palmer,  Orrin  V. 

Norwich 

Jan.  14/64 

Rath,  Ferdinand 

Essex 

Jan.    8/64 

Smith,  Samuel  J. 

Jan.  21/63 

Sweet,  James  L, 

Norwich 

Jan.    8/64 

Tough,  George  E. 

Hartford 

Dec.  2  1  ,'63 

West,  Albert  K. 

Preston 

Dec.  2  9/63 

*Williams,  Robert 

Pom  fret 

Sept.  3/64 

*  White,  James  W. 

Preston 

Sept.  6/64 

COM  PA  IVY  G. 

Bowen,  David  A. 

Woodstock 

Dec.3o/63 

Browning,  James 

Greewich 

Feb.    1/65 

Hibbard,  Henry  W. 

Woodstock 

Jan.    4/64 

Hiscox,  Albert 

Union 

Jan.  28/64 

Henry,  Charles  E. 

on  rolls 

Feb.28/65 

Lake,  Thomas  A. 

Woodstock 

Dec.  1  6/63 

Mark,  Louis 

Bridgeport 

Jan.  18/64 

Navin,  Patrick 

Putnam 

Nov.  9/63 

Smith,  Abner  P. 

Woodstock 

Dec.  21/63 

Smith,  Abner 

Stonington 

Jan.    4/64 

Smith,  Theodore 

Salisbury 

Jan.  25/65 

Stuart,  David 

« 

Jan.  28/65 

Underwood,  Charles  H. 

Windham 

Dec.   8/63 

Weeks,  Francis  E. 

Union 

Feb.  2  5  ,'64 

*  Substitute  or  drafted. 
54 

Remarks. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"     27/65, 

Disch.  disability,  Feb.  13,  1865. 
Killed  June  5/64,  Piedmont,  Va. 
Captured  June  11,  1864. 
Deserted  November  13,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"  27/65, 
"    "  27,6's, 

"  27/65, 

"  27/65, 

Deserted  May  29,  1864. 
Disch.  disability,  March   25/65. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"         "     27/65, 
Deserted  November  13,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 


Deserted  November  14,  1864. 

"        April   12,  1865. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"  "  27,'65,  "  " 
Trans.  2d  C.V.  Art.  Mar.  7/63. 
M.  C).  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y 

"  '  «  27,'65,      "     - 

Deserted  June  15,  1865. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
Dis.   Oct.  17/64,  on  furlough. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"      "    "     27/65, 
Deserted  May  17,  1865. 
M.  O.  Aug.  1/65,  Washington. 


426 


EIGH  TEE  NTH  REGIMENT 


COMPANY  H. 


Name  and  Rank. 

Abbe,  Joseph 
Brown,  James  K. 
Brady,  Laugblin 
Chappell,  Cortland  G, 
Hayes,  George  S. 
Harris,  Elijah  F. 
Kaiser,  Matthias 
Miller,  William  H. 
Spencer,  Thomas  I). 
Wilson,  Jared  F. 


Residence.        Date  Muster. 

Wolcott          Mar.22,'64 

Windham  Dec.  10/63 
Jan.  5/64 
Dec.  1 0/63 
Dec.  i/62 
Jan.  5, '63 

So. Coventry  Feb. 23, '64 
Mayi3/63 

Windham  Dec.  14, '63 
Dec.  10, '63 


Remarks. 

M.  O.  May  30/65,  Hartford,  Ct 
June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
Died  July  28/64,  on  furlough. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
Died  Oc.  27*63,  Martinsburg,Va. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

-         «     2y/65,  «         « 

Deserted  August  27,  1863. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

' 


COMPANY  I. 


Bugbee,  Henry  S, 
Buchanan,  John   M. 
Donahue,  John 
Foster,  Charles 
Glasgow,  John 
Grant,  Albert  F. 
Harbison,  William  C. 
Holmes,  Asa  L. 
*Haskell,  Albert  L. 
King,  Andrus  H. 
Keigwin,  Daniel 
Kenyon,  Leander  A. 
McShean,  Owen, 
Quigley,  Patrick  J. 
Richardson,  Charles  H. 
Robinson,  Franklin  E. 
Tucker,  James 
Town,  Franklin 
Taylor,  John  E. 
Weaver,  Joseph 
WTaite,  Prescott 
Yannon,  Christian  J. 


Hamden  Dec. 28/63 
Thompson  Jan.  4/64 
Sprague  Jan.  5/64 
Norwich  Jan.  18/64 
Nov. 30/62 

Mansfield  Dec. 31/63 
Killingly  Sep.  15/62 
Lebanon  Jan.  2/64 
New  London June2S/64 
Woodstock  Sep.  24/62 
Norwich  Dec.  19/63 
Canterbury  Sep.  27/64 
Killingly  Oct.  7/62 
Woodstock  Sep.  28/64 
Killingly  Oct.  9/62 
Mansfield  Dec. 31/63 
E.  Windsor  060.30/63 
Thompson  Jan.  4/64 
E.  Windsor  060.30/63 
Sprague  Dec.  1/63 
Mansfield  060.31/63 
Pomfret  Oct.  28/62 


Deserted  November  n,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
"      *  "    27/65,          -         " 

"     27/65, 

Deserted  January  23,  1863. 
M.  O.  June  19/65,  Baltio,  Md. 
Tr.  Inv.  C.  M.  O.  Sep.  14/65. 
M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

"      '  '     27,'65, 

Discharged  May  30,  1865. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 
"         "    27/63,          "         " 
"         "    27/65,          "        " 
"    27/65, 
"    27/65, 

Deserted  November  n,  1864. 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y- 
"        "    27/65,          "         " 
"         "    27/65,          "         " 
"         "    27/65, 

Tr.  ist  U.S.V.  M.  O.  Oct.  20/65 

Deserted  October  28,  1863. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


427 


COM  PAN  Y  K. 

Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster. 

Remarks. 

Baker,  Henry  E. 

Killingly 

Feb.  29  '64 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y- 

Baker,  William  C. 

ti 

Feb.  29/64 

"         "    27/65, 

Cooper,  George  P. 

« 

Dec.  1  7,  '63 

"    27/65, 

Cole,  Thomas  W. 

Putnam 

Feb.  25/64 

"     27/65, 

Geer,  Nelson 

Killingly 

Jan.    4/64 

"     27/65, 

Hall,  George  F. 

Plainfield 

Feb.    4/64 

"    27/65, 

Hyde,  William  J. 

u 

Mar.3i/64 

14         "    27/65, 

Hopkins,  Michael 

u 

Oct.    4/64 

"    27/65, 

Lathrop,  David  I). 

Brooklyn 

Apr.  10/63 

Discharged,  disability,  July6/65 

Locke,  George  H. 

Killingly 

Jan.    4/64 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Potter,  Rouse 

i  , 

Feb.  29,'  64 

"         "    27/65,          "«         " 

Robbins,  Thomas  J. 

t( 

Dec.  1  7/63 

"     27/65, 

Randall,  Henry  F. 

" 

Dec.  29,  03 

"     27/65, 

Shepardson,  Albert  F. 

Plainfield 

Feb.  4/64 

"    27/65, 

Short,  Linus  E. 

Killingly 

Feb.  29/64 

Died  Sept.  7/64,  Andersonville. 

Stewart,  Charles 

Montville 

Mar.   7/64 

M.  O.  June  27/65,  Harper's  F'y. 

Taylor,  James  A. 

Plainfield 

Dec.  1  1  ,'63 

"      "  "    27,'65,          "        " 

Wade,  Otis  S. 

Killingly 

Dec.  1  7/63 

"         "    27/65.          "         " 

428 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


UN  ASSIGN  ED   RECRUITS, 


Name  and  Rank. 

A  very,  George   F. 
Brady,  Charles 
Baker,  Arthur  C. 
Brown,  Charles 
Brady,  Edward 
Clark,  Warren   A. 
Collins,  Daniel 
Coleman,  John  T. 
Clancy,  John  J. 
Crowley,  Frank 
Clark,  Oliver 
Clarey,  Michael 
Daggett,  Henry  A. 
Ellis,  Thomas  S. 
Eaton,  Thomas 
Finner,   Thomas 
Greene,  Lafayette 
Harrington,  Parley 
Littlefield,  George  T. 
Leonard,  Charles 
Loonun,  John 
Marsh,  George  W. 
Neuergert,  John 
Noble,  John 
O'Neal,  Timothy 
Owen,  James 
Roberts,  Orrin 
Ryan,  Patrick 
Shay,  Jeremiah 
Sweet,  James  L. 
Stewart,  William  J. 
Shepard,  George  W. 
Townsend,  Charles 
Warren,  Charles  A. 
Woods,  Patrick 
West,  Charles  W. 
Williams,  George 
Yarrington,  Henry 


Residence.        Date  Muster.  Remarks. 

Preston  Feb. 27, '64  Died  March  7/64,  West  Haven. 

Salisbury        Mar.  19/64  Ford.  April  7/64.    Not  on  roll. 
Sterling          May  25, '64     "     June  28/64. 

May  25/64     "          "      2/64. 

Plainh'eld       Oct.  18/64   Dis.  Nov.  18/64,  draft  rend. 
Milford  Dec.   9/63   Ford.  Dec.  16/64.   N°l  on  ro^- 

Sterling          May    5/64  June  2/64. 

Granby          July  29/64  Sep. 17/64. 

July  29/64  "     17/64. 

Salem  Sep.     3/64  17/64. 

Washington  Nov.  15/64  Deserted  Nov.  18,  1864. 
Saybrook       Nov. 22/64  Ford.  Jan.  29/65.   Not  on  roll. 

Oct.    9/62   Deserted  Oct.  22,  1862. 
Norwich        Mar.23/63  June  19,  1863. 

Portland         Mar.  17/64  Ford.  Apr.  7/64.   Not  on  roll. 
Hartford        Jan.    8/64  Deserted  Jan.  17,  1864. 
Preston          Sep.     1/64  Dis.  Nov.  18/64,  draft  rend. 
Bozrah  Dec. 25/63   Not  taken  up  on  roll  Dec. 3  1/64 

Montville       Jan.  18/64  Deserted  March  28,  1864. 
Portland        Mar.  17/64  Ford.  Apr.  7/64.    Not  on  roll. 
Stonington     Feb.    3/65   Deserted  en  route. 
N.  Canaan     Dec.  16/64  Ford.  Dec.  30/64.   Not  on  roll. 
Canton  Dec.  5/63   Not  taken  up  on  roll  Dec. 3 1/64. 

Lyme  Mar.   7/64  Ford.  Dec.  7/64.   Not  on  roll. 

Granby  July  29/64  Sep.  17/64. 

Colchester     Dec.  13/64  Dec.  30/64. 

Middletown  Apr.   3/63   Deserted  April  23,  1863. 
Berlin  July29/64  Ford.  Sep.  17/64.   Not  on  roll. 

Sep.  29/62   Deserted  Oct.  10,  1862. 
Norwich        Dec.  31/63  Jan.  14,  1864. 

Salisbury       Mar.  19/64  Ford.  April  7/64.    Not  on  roll. 
Preston          Sep.    3/64  Sep.  17/64. 

Sterling         Apr.2i/64     l(     June   2/64. 
Woodstock    Sep.  14/64  Dis.  Oct.  8/64,  draft  rend. 
Bridgewater  Sep.  17/64  Ford.  Sep.  26/64.   Not  on  roll. 
Middletown  Dec.i6/64  Dis.  Jan.  15/65,  draft  rend. 
Stonington     Feb.  3/65   Deserted  en  rout. 
Preston  Apr.   7/63   Dis.  April  13/63,  Ft.  Trumbull. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  429 


CHANGES  AND  PROMOTIONS 

IN 

COMMISSIONED   OFFICERS. 


Name  arid  Kaiik.  Residence.  Date  Muster.  Remarks. 

Colonel. 

William  G.  Ely,  Norwich  July24,'62   Dis.Sep.  18/64.  Pr.Bvt. Brig. Gen. 

Lieut.  Colonels. 

Monroe  Nichols,  Thompson  Aug.  18/62   Resigned  April  26,  1864. 

Henry  Peale,  Norwich  Sep. 24, '64  M.  ().  June  27,  1865. 

Majors. 

Monroe,  Nichols.  Thompson  Aug.  18/62   Prom.  Lt.  Col.  Aug.  18,  1862. 

Ephraim  Keech,  Jr,  Killingly  Aug.i8/62   Hon.  dis.  May  20,  1863. 

Henry  Pealc,  Norwich  May 20/63   Prom.  Lt:.  Col.  Sep.   24,  1864. 

Joseph   Mathewson,  Pomfret  Oct.    3/64   M.  C).  June  27,  1865. 

Adjutants. 

Edward  L.  Porter,  New  LondonAug.  4/62   Prom.  Capt.  May  20,  1863. 

E.  Benjamin  Culver,  Norwich  May26/63   Killed  in  action  June  5,  1864. 

Joseph  P.  Rockwell,  Jun.   5/64  Prom.  Capt.  Oct.  17,  1864. 

George  W.  Brady,  Oct.  17/64  M.  O.  June  27/65. 

Quarter -Masters. 

I.) wight  W.  Hakes,  Norwich  Aug.  4/62   Dis.  for  prom.  April  13,  1865. 

Noadiah  P.  Johnson,  Thompson  Jun. 22/65   M-  ^X  (as  Ist  Et.)  June  27/65. 

Chaplains. 

Varnum  A.  Cooper,  New  LondonAug. 27/62   Resigned  Mar.  4,  1863. 

William  C.  Walker,  Putnam  Jan.  19/64  M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

Surgeons. 

Charles  M.  Carleton,  Norwich  Aug.  6/62   Hon.  Dis.  April  17,  1863. 

Lowell  Holbrook,  Thompson  Apr. 23/63  M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

ist  As st.  Surgeon. 

Josiah  V.  Harrington  Sterling  Aug.n/62   Died  Dec.  i,  1864. 


430 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMEN7 


Name  aud  Rauk. 


Residence.        Date  Muster. 


Farm  ing  ton  Sep.  2/64 


Norwich 

Brooklyn 

Norwich 

Thompson 

Norwich 


2d  Asst.  Surgeons. 

Henry  W.  Hough,  Putnam          Sep. 20, '62 

William  B.  North,  New  Britain  Mar.2o,'63 

Charles  H.  Kowe, 

Captains. 
Henry  C.  Davis, 
Thomas  K.  Bates, 
Isaac  H.  Bromley, 
Monroe  Nichols, 
Isaac  W.  Hakes,  Jr., 
Henry  Peale, 
George  W.  Warner, 
Charles  D.  Bowen, 
Samuel  R.  Knapp, 
Ephriam  Keech,  Jr., 
Joseph  Mathewson, 
Ezra  J.  Mathewson, 
Frederick  A.  Palmer, 
Edward  L.  Porter, 
John  E.  Woodward, 
John  H.  Morrison, 
William  L.  Spalding, 
Israel  N.  Kibbie, 
Martin  V.  B.  Tiffany, 
Noadiah  P.  Johnson. 
John  Lilley, 
Joseph  P.  Rockwell, 
Horatio  Blanchard, 
Samuel  T.    C.  Merwin, 
Franklin  B.  Bixby, 

ist  Lieutenants. 

Adam  H.  Lindsay,  Norwich 

Horatio  Blanchard, 
Samuel  T.  C.  Merwin, 
Joseph  Mathewson, 
Frederick  A.  Palmer, 


Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 

Woodstock  Aug.  8/62 
Willimantic  Aug.  8/62 
Norwich'  Aug.  8/62 
Killingly  Aug.  8/62 
Pomfret  Aug.  18/62 
Killingly  Aug.i8,'62 
Norwich  Dec. 26, '62 
New  LondonMay2o,'63 


Preston 
Norwich 
Eastford 
Putnam 
Norwich 
Thompson 
Norwich 

M 

Killingly 
Norwich 

Oct.  10,  '63 
Oct.  19/63 
Nov.30/63 
Aug.  1  2/64 
Aug.  1  2/64 
Oct.  17/64 
Oct.  17/64 
Oct.  17/64 
Jan.  30/63 
Ju  11.22/65 

Thompson    Jun. 22/65 


John  E.  Woodward, 
Israel  N.  Kibbie, 
James  F.  Long, 


Killingly 

Norwich 

Pomfret 

Norwich 

Preston 

Putnam 


Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 
Aug.  8/62 


Willimantic  Aug.   8/62 


Remarks . 

Resigned  March  6,  1863. 
Resigned  May  9,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

Hon.  dis.  April  25,  1865. 
Res.  for  disability  Nov.  17/63. 
Hon.  dis.  Mar.  31,  1863. 
Prom.  Major  Aug.  18,  1862. 
Resigned  Dec.  26,  1862. 
Prom.  Major  May  20,  1863. 
Hon.  dis.  Oct.  4,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 
Resigned  June  6,  1863. 
Prom.  Major  Aug.  18,  1862. 

"     Oct.  3,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 
Dis.  May  28,  1864. 
Killed  in  action  June  15,  1863. 
M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 
Dismissed  Sep.  i,  1864. 
Killed  in  action  May  15,  1864. 
M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

"     27,     " 

Declined  commission. 
M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

"         "    27,     " 

"         "    27,'     "' 

"     (as  ist  Lt.)  June  27/65. 

"  27/65. 

Hon.  dis.  Apr.  17,  1865. 
Prom.  Capt.  Jan.  30,  1865. 

June  22,  1865. 

Aug.  18,  1862. 

Dec.  26,  1862. 

Oct.  10,  1862. 
"   Aug.  12,  1864. 
Resigned  Nov.  9,  1862. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


Name  and  Rank. 

Residence. 

Date  Muster. 

Remarks. 

JohnH.  Morrison, 

Norwich 

Aug. 

8/62 

Prom.  Capt.  Oct.  19,  1863. 

Ezra  J.  Mathewson, 

Killingly 

Aug. 

8/62 

u 

Aug.  18,  1862. 

William  L.  Spalding, 

Eastford 

Aug. 

18/62 

u 

Nov.  30,  1863. 

George  Kies, 

Killingly 

Aug. 

18/62 

M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

Andrew  Loomis, 

Tolland 

Nov. 

9/62 

" 

27,  1865. 

John  T.  Maginnis, 

Salem 

Dec.  26/62 

Killed  in  action  June  5,  1864. 

Henry  F.  Cowles, 

Norwich 

Oct. 

10/63 

Hon. 

dis.  May  15,   1865. 

Martin  V.  B.  Tiffany, 

" 

Oct. 

19/63   Prom.  Capt.  Aug.  12,  1864. 

Noadiah  Johnson, 

Thompson 

Nov. 

30/64 

11 

Quar-Master  June  22,' 

65- 

John  Lilley, 

Norwich 

Jun. 

5/64 

u 

Capt.  Oct.  17,  1864. 

Edward  S.  Hinckley, 

Lebanon 

Aug. 

12/64 

M.  0 

.  June  27,  1865. 

Albert  S.  Granger, 

Putnam 

Oct. 

8/64 

" 

"      27,  1865. 

Franklin  B.  Bixby, 

Thompson 

Oct. 

17/64 

Prom 

.  ('apt.  June  22,  1865. 

William  Caruthers, 

Norwich 

Jan. 

7/65   M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

John  A.  Francis, 

" 

Jan. 

30/65 

it 

27,  1865. 

Robert  Kerr, 

" 

Jun. 

22/65 

"     (as  2d  Lt.)  June  27/65. 

2d  Lieutenants. 

James  D.  Higgins, 

Norwich 

Aug. 

8/62 

Hon. 

dis.  Oct.  27,  1864. 

Ezra  D.  Carpenter, 

Putnam 

Aug. 

8/62 

M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

Henry  F.  Cowles, 

Norwich 

Aug. 

8/62 

Prom, 

,  ist  Lt.  Oct.  to,  1863. 

William  L.  Spalding, 

Eastford 

Aug. 

8/62 

" 

4<       Aug.  1  8,  1862. 

John  T.  Maginnis, 

Salem 

Aug. 

8/62 

" 

Dec.  26,  1862. 

John  A.  Francis, 

Norwich 

Aug. 

8/62 

*• 

Jan.  30,  1865. 

Luther  E.  Rawson, 

Woodstock 

Aug. 

8/62 

Resigned  Dec.  22,  1862. 

Andrew  W.  Loomis, 

Tolland 

Aug. 

8/62 

Prom 

.  ist  Lt.  Nov.  9,  1862. 

Martin  V.  B.  Tiffany, 

Norwich 

Aug. 

8/62 

M 

"       Oct.  r9,  1863. 

George  Kies, 

Killingly 

Aug. 

8/62 

'' 

"       Aug.  18,  1862. 

Noadiah  P.  Johnson, 

Thompson 

Aug. 

18/62 

U 

Nov.  30,  1863. 

Asahel  G.  Scranton, 

Killingly 

Aug. 

18/62 

M.  O. 

June  27,  1865. 

William  H.  Locke, 

Wind  ham 

Nov. 

9/62 

Hon. 

Dis.  May  15,  1865. 

Joseph  P.  Rockwell, 

Norwich 

Dec. 

22/62 

Prom.  Adjt.  June  5,  1864. 

Francis   McKeag, 

" 

Dec. 

26/62 

M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

Andrew  \Vashburn, 

Lebanon 

Oct. 

10/63 

Dis.  (as  Sgt.)  Feb.  24,  1864. 

John  Lilley, 

Norwich 

Oct. 

19/63 

Prom 

.  ist  Lt.  June  5,  1864. 

Franklin  B.  Bixby, 

Thompson 

Nov.  30/63 

Oct.  17,  1864. 

Edward  S.  Hinckley, 

Lebanon 

Apr. 

12/64 

" 

Aug.  12,  1864. 

Robert  Kerr, 

Norwich 

Jun. 

5/64 

" 

June  22,  1865. 

*William  Caruthers, 

u 

Jun. 

12*63 

" 

Jan.  7,  1865. 

Charles  A.  Murray, 

;' 

Jan. 

30/65 

M.  O.  June  27,  1865. 

^Recommended  for  promot 

ion. 

432  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


CHANGES  AND  PROMOTIONS 

IN 

NON-COMMISSIONED   OFFICERS 


STAFF. 

Sergt-Major,  George  E.  Comins.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

Q.  M.  Sergeant,  Albert  H.  Pitcher.  Promoted  from  private. 

Com.  Sergeant,  Timothy  Parker.  Promoted  from  private. 

Drum  Major,  Albert  Pray. 

Fife  Major,  Judson  M.  Gager. 

Wagon-master,  H.  M.  Durfey.  Promoted  from  private. 

COMPANY  A. 

ist  Sergeant,  Samuel  J.  Lee.  Promoted  from  sergeant. 

2(\  George  C.  Setchel.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

4th  John  Chalmers.  Promoted  from  private. 

5th  Benjamin  F.  Jacjues.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

3d  Corporal,  John  W.  Martin.  Promoted  from  private. 

4th  John  Laird.  Promoted  fiom  private. 

5th  Milan  \V.  Adams.  'Promoted  from  private. 

6th  Horace  U.  Sherman.  Promoted  from  private, 

yth  John  Service.  Promoted  from  private. 

COMPANY  B. 

ist  Sergeant,  Thomas  M.  Day.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

3d  Lanrens  Card.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

4th  William  A.  Trask.  Promoted  from  private. 

5th  Harrison  O.  Bemish  Promoted  from  private, 

ist  Corpora],   Frederick  M.  Freeman.  Promoted  from  private. 

2d  John  W.  Randall.  Promoted  from  private. 

3d  James  H.  Sawyer.  Promoted  from  private. 

4th  William  H.  Ward.  Promoted  from  private. 

5th  Sidney  M.  Brewster.  Promoted  from  private. 

(>th  Charles  E.  Olney.  Promoted  from  private, 

yth  Calvin  H.  Richmond.  Promoted  from  private. 

8th  Smith  E.  Randall.  Promoted  from  private. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


433 


COMPANY  C. 

ist  Sergeant, 

Edwin  S.  Fitch. 

Promoted  from  private. 

2d 

Frederick  L.  Spencer. 

Promoted  from  private. 

3d 

Charles  C.  Chappell. 

Promoted  from  private. 

4th 

William  H.  H.  Ellis. 

Promoted  from  private. 

5th         " 

Restcome  Peckham. 

Promoted  from  corporal. 

ist  Corpora], 

George  W.  Cross. 

Promoted  from  private. 

2d 

Abisha  P.  Durfee. 

Promoted  from  private. 

3d 

Thomas  J.  Lumis. 

Promoted  from  private. 

4th 

Charles  H.  Lynch. 

Promoted  from  private. 

5th 

Joseph  B.  Green. 

Promoted  from  private. 

6th 

Adam  Kraus. 

Promoted  from  private. 

7th 

Charles  M.  Avery. 

Promoted  from  private. 

8th 

Lemuel  A.  Manning. 

Promoted  from  private. 

COMPANY  D. 

ist  Sergeant,  Joseph  E.  Marcy.  Promoted  from  sergeant. 
3d                     George  W.  Phetteplace. Promoted  from  corporal. 

4th                    William  J.  Arnold.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

5th                    Henry  C.  Torrey.  Promoted  from  private, 

ist  Corpora],  Edwin  Sharpe.  Promoted  from  private. 

2d                      John  N.  Perrin.  Promoted  from  private. 

3d                     John  W.  Clapp.  Promoted  from  private. 

4th                    Joseph  W.  Heath.  Promoted  from  private. 

5th                    Thomas  W.  Grow.  Promoted  from  private. 

6th                    George  T.  Seaver.  Promoted  from  private, 

yth                    William  Lynch.  Promoted  from  private. 

8th                    Abial  A.  Miller,  Promoted  from  private. 


COMPANY  E. 

ist  Sergeant,  Anthony  Staubly.  Promoted  from 

4th  James  McKee. 

5th  Hylon   N.  Perry. 

4th  Corporal,  Nelson  R.  Allen. 


5th 

6th 

yth 

8th 


John  Weller. 
Albert  M.  Lathrop. 
George  Crawford. 
William  P.  Clark. 


Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 


55 


sergeant. 

corporal. 

corporal. 

private. 

private. 

private. 

private. 

private. 


434 


EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


COMPANY  F. 

ist  Sergeant,  Richard  Trinnier.  Promoted  from  private. 

3d  William   H.  Webb.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

4th  Henry  Appleton.  Promoted  from  private, 

ist  Corporal,  Daniel  B.  Church.  Promoted  from  private. 

3d  Charles  F.  Thurber.  Promoted  from  private. 

4th  Samuel  D.  Billings.  Promoted  from  private. 

5th  Levi  P.  Nickolson.  Promoted  from  private. 

6th  Edwin  Kenyon.  Promoted  from  private, 

yth  William  L.  Davis.  Promoted  from  private. 

8th  Frank  E.  Murphy.  Promoted  from  private. 

COMPANY   G. 

^ 

ist  Sergeant,  Edward  T.  Warner.  Promoted  from  sergeant. 

2d  Joseph  E.  Rawson.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

3d  Lucian   H.  Medbury.  Promoted  from  corporal. 

4th  Prescott  J.  Randall.  Promoted  from  private. 

ist  Corporal,  Benjamin  P.  Weeks.  Promoted  from  private. 

2d  Willis  G.  Howard.  Promoted  from  private. 

4th  Lowell  Wilcox.  Promoted  from  private. 

5th  Tracy  Rogers.  Promoted  from  private. 

6th  Lawrence  F.  Gleason.  Promoted  from  private, 

yth  Charles  Burrows.  Promoted  from  private. 


ist  Sergeant,  George  E.  Jordon. 

4th  Sanford  A.  Comins. 

5th  WTilliam  H.  Boyden. 

3d    Corporal,  Moses  Buchanan. 

4th  Joseph  Watts. 

5th  Eben  R.  Eaton. 

6th  Elsworth  W.  Bingham.   Promoted  from 

7th  Job  Metcalf.  Promoted  from 

8th  Frank  S.  Harrington.      Promoted  from 


COMPANY.   H. 

Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 
Promoted  from 


sergeant. 

corporal. 

corporal. 

private. 

private. 

private. 

private. 

private. 

private. 


COMPANY  I. 


ist  Sergeant,  Bently  Shaw. 
2d  William  Finken. 

3d  George  Cogswell. 

4th  James  G.  Spencer. 

5th  Charles  Derby. 


Promoted  from  sergeant. 
Promoted  from  corporal. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  corporal. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS. 


435 


3d  Corporal,  Levi  C.  Bliss. 
4th                     Hugh  McEwen. 
cjth                    Andrew  Dean. 
6th                     William  Hall. 
7th         "       -  Charles  Foster. 

Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 

COMPANY  K. 


3d    Sergeant,  Joseph  D.  Hall. 
4th  Alonzo  B.  Potter. 

5th  James  L.  Adams, 

ist  Corporal,  Charles  K.  Griffiths. 
2d  Roland  R.  James. 

3d  Almond  Bartlett. 

4th  William  A.  Taylor. 

5th  Frank  A.  Chase. 


Promoted  from  corporal. 
Promoted  from  corporal. 
Promoted  from  corporal. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 
Promoted  from  private. 


436  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


RECAPITULATION. 


THE  muster  rolls  of  the  regiment  bear  the  names  of  1,170  officers  and  enlist 
ed  men. 

The  regiment  participated  in  the  following  battles  and  skirmishes  : 

Winchester,  Va.,  June  13  and  14,  1863. 

Summit's  Point  and  Carter's  Farm,  Va.,  June  15,  1863. 

New  Market,  Va.,  May  15,  1864. 

Piedmont,  Va.,  June  5,  1864. 

Lynchburg,  Va.,  June  18,  1864. 

Snicker's  Ford,  Va.,  July  18,  1864. 

Kearnstown  and  Winchester,  Va.,  July  24,  1864. 

Cedar  Creek,  Va.,  Aug.  12,  1864. 

Berryville,  Va.,  Sept.  3,  1864. 

Harrisonburg,  Va.,  June  3,  1864. 

Lexington,  Va.,  June  n,  1864. 

Buchanan,  Va.,  June  14,  1864. 

Liberty,  Va.,  June  16,  1864. 

Quaker  Church,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 

Salem,  Va.,  June  21,  1864. 

Hedgesville,  Va.,  July  10,   1864. 

Kearnstown,  Va.,  July  23,  1864. 

Martinsburg,  Va.,  July  25,  1865. 

Stoney  Point  and  Middlelown,  Va.,  Aug.  n  and  12,  1864. 

Hupp's  Hill,  Va.,  Aug.  13,  1864. 

Opequoh,  Va.,  Aug.  21,  1864. 

Halltown  and  Charlestown,  Va.,  Aug.  22  to  26,   1864. 

CASUALTIES. 

Killed,       ...  55 

Wounded,       ...                           .  246 

Died  of  wounds  while  prisoners,        .         .         .  .         .           13 

Died  of  disease  while  prisoners,     .  .•                       27 

Died  of  wounds  and  disease,      ......  50 

Discharged  prior  to  mustering  out  of  regiment,  .                       323 

Missing  at  mustering  out  of  regiment,         .  .                     12 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  437 


ERRATA. 


PAGE  143.     Should  read  Color  Sergt.  Geo.  Torrey,  Co.  B. 
Page  148.     Should  read  Upperville,  instead  of  Pepperville. 

Page  151.     Sergt.  Caruthers  should  read  2d  Lt.,  who  had  been  recommended  for 
promotion  June  12,  and  acting  as  such  with  Co.  H,  when  wounded  June  14,  1863. 
Lt.  McGinnis  should  read  Maginnis. 

Page  176.     Should  read  Sutler,  instead  of  Suiter. 

Page  296.     Should  read  Burkittsville,  not  Banksville. 

Pages  297  and  298.     Should  read   Wolfsburg,  instead  of  Wolfsville. 


438  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMEN! 


APPENDIX, 


I. 

THE  FOLLOWING  ACCOUNT  OF   THE   DEFENCE   AND    CAPTURE   AT    WINCHESTER    is   PARTLY 

TAKEN    FROM    GEN.    O.    O.     HOWARD'S    "  REMINISCENCES    OF    THE    WAR."      ' 

IN  the  soberer  judgment  and  temper  of  twenty  years  after  the  war,  not  only 
has  the  storm  of  sectional  passions  and  prejudice  nearly  spent  its  bitter  fury, 
but,  also,  in  a  large  degree  in  our  military  record  has  truth  been  sifted  of  error, 
misconception  or  misrepresentation  given  place  to  accurate  appreciation,  and 
many  an  act  that  was  strange  at  the  time,  with  the  seal  of  popular  condemnation, 
is  now  justified — even  lauded — as  eminently  wise  and  patriotic. 

A  notable  example  of  the  fallibility,  often  injustice  of  hasty  judgment,  is  af 
forded  in  the  case  of  General  Milroy,*who  commanded  the  division  of  the  Union 
army  operating  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  prior  to  Gen.  Lee's  invasion  of  Penn 
sylvania,  and  who  has  been  severely  criticised  for  allowing  himself  to  be  sur 
prised  by  the  Rebel  general,  Ewell,  in  command  of  a  portion  of  the  invading 
forces.  Recent  dispassionate  examination  of  the  situation  in  Virginia  at  that 
critical  period  in  the  rebellion  proves  conclusively  that  Gen.  Milroy  could  not 
reasonably  have  foreseen  the  Rebel  advance  into  the  Valley ;  that  he  was  act 
ing  by  orders  from  the  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  who  was  to  no 
tify  him  of  any  formidable  movement  in  his  quarter  on  the  part  of  the  Confed 
erates  ;  that  his  force  was  numerically  inadequate  to  cope  with  such  a  movement, 
and  that  the  blame  of  his  discomfiture,  if  blame  there  was,  must  rest  on  other 
shoulders  than  his.  It  is  always  easy  to  discern  and  interpret  the  shadow  of  a 
coming  event  after  that  event  has  become  a  part  of  history.  The  fact  is  in  this 
case,  that  Lee's  first  movements  in  his  north-west  march  in  1863  was  totally  mis- 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  439 


apprehended  by  the  Union  commanders.  There  were  several  courses  that  he 
might  follow  in  his  anticipated  offensive  movement.  He  might  simply  turn  the 
right  of  the  Union  army,  or  he  might  cross  the  Shenandoah  with  his  army, 
drawing  the  Union  forces  to  a  selected  battle  ground,  defeat  them,  and  advance 
toward  Maryland  and  Virginia  ;  or,  he  might  do  what  he  really  did  do,  send  a 
corps  under  cover  of  his  light  infantry  to  make  feints  here  and  there  on  the 
Union  front,  and  by  thus  deceiving  the  enemy  with  a  show  of  force,  enable  the 
rest  of  his  army  to  slip  across  the  Shenandoah  River,  rapidly  advance  against 
Gen.  Milroy's  little  command,  surprise  and  destroy  it,  and  thence  push  north 
west  before  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  tairly  apprehended  his  purpose. 

The  Rebel  commander's  wily  policy  was  entirely  successful.  On  the  tenth  of 
June  the  old  Stonewall  Jackson  corps,  now  under  command  of  Gen.  Ewell,  was 
on  its  march  for  the  Valley.  The  situation  of  the  Union  forces  at  this  time  may 
be  briefly  noted  :  Gen.  Milroy,  who  was  of  the  department  which  had  its  head 
quarters  at  Baltimore,  under  Gen.  Schenck,  was  stationed  with  about  7,000  men 
at  Winchester  ;  and  west  of  him,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  was  Gen.  Tyler,  of  the  same 
department,  with  between  9,000  and  10,000  men  ;  Hooker  was  to  cover  Wash 
ington  and  Harper's  Ferry,  and  yet  the  troops  at  and  beyond  the  last  named 
station  were  not  under  his  command.  Gen.  Schenck  was  in  the  mountains,  guard 
ing  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad,  and  whose  supplementary  duty  it  was  to 
prevent  an  invasion  of  Maryland  It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  any  disposi 
tion  of  the  Northern  army  that  would  have  been  more  scattered,  or  that  would 
have  been  more  satisfactory  to  the  Rebel  commander.  All  circumstances  seemed 
conjoined  to  deceive  Gen.  Milroy,  and  facilitate  his  destruction.  For  months 
the  Rebel  Jenkin's  cavalry  brigade  had  been  giving  his  little  army  plenty  of 
lively  work  up  and  down  the  Valley,  cutting  telegraph  wires,  destroying  railroad 
crossings,  and  capturing  adventurers,  officers  and  stragglers.  This  force,  which 
was  still  operating  in  front,  was  at  once  attached  to  Gen.  Ewell's  column  as 
scouts,  skirmishers  and  flankers,  and  afforded  an  excellent  cover  for  the  Confed 
erate  advance.  What  more  natural  than  that  Gen.  Milroy  should  credit  a  hos 
tile  demonstration  before  any  part  of  his  lines  to  the  restless  operations  of  this 
turbulent  cavalry,  particularly  as  Gen.  Milroy  received  no  intimation  from  head 
quarters  to  expect  an  organized  Rebel  advance  ?  The  Confederate  general,  Im- 
boden,  was  already  in  the  mountains  to  strike  a  blow  at  Schenck,  and  to  cut  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  west  of  Winchester,  and  thus  prevent  that  general 
from  moving  any  of  his  troops  to  the  assistance  of  either  Milroy  or  Tyler.  Thus 
is  clearly  apparent  the  trap  that  was  swiftly  closing  around  Gen.  Milroy  and  his 
command.  To  render  his  situation  still  more  desperate,  the  country  roundabout 
was  intensely  Rebel  in  its  sympathy,  and  men  and  women  vied  with  each  other 
in  carrying  accurate  information  concerning  the  Federal  forces  to  the  Confeder 
ate  general.  The  result  was,  that  Ewell's  army  was  enabled  to  approach  even  to 


440  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


the  outposts  without  exciting  Gen.  Milroy's  suspicions;  and  it  was  not  until  after 
the[initial  collision  between  the  opposing  forces  that  the  Union  commander  was 
apprized  that^he  had  to  do  with  other  than  marauding  bands  of  Jenkin's  cavalry. 
The  surprise  was  complete,  and  it  is  a  matter  for  no  small  wonder  that  Gen. 
Milroy,  with  his  small  command,  was  able  to  hold  the  Rebel  column  in  check 
during^three  days  of  desperate  fighting — a  delay  in  the  Rebel  advance  that  ma 
terially  interfered  with  the  complete  success  of  their  plans.  This  fact  is  unde 
niably  a  splendid  attestation  of  the  military  capabilities  of  Gen.  Milroy,  as  well 
as  those  of  his  brave  and  able  lieutenants,  Gen.  Elliot  and  Col.  Ely  in  command 
of  brigades,  who  contested  every  inch  of  ground  as  they  fell  back  before  an 
overwhelming  enemy.  Later  and  impartial  history  has  not  only  cleared  away 
whatever  of  doubt  had  been  thrown  around  Gen.  Milroy's  fame  as  a  soldier  and 
a  patriot,  but  has  stamped  his  military  record  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  at 
Winchester  as  that  of  a  wise,  loyal  and  able  commander. 

The  story  of  Winchester  and  ks  results  has  already  been  related,  and  it  is  not 
necessaryjo  repeat  it.  Though  the  immediate  wager  of  battle  was  overwhelm 
ingly  with  the  Rebel  commander,  the  indirect  results,  as  has  been  urged  else 
where,  were  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the  Union  cause. 

II. 

RECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE  FIGHT. 

SURG.  Goldsborough,  of  the  5th  Maryland  Regt.,  in  his  account  of  the  battle 
of  Winchester,  Va.,  under  Milroy,  June  13,  14,  and  15,  1863,  says:  "  that  after 
severe  fighting  against  great  odds  for  two  days,  a  retreat  was  ordered  and  begun 
the  i.sth,  about  one  A.  M.,  Elliot's  leading,  followed  by  Ely's  brigade,  then 
McReynolds',  who  had  come  up  the  night  before  from  Berryville.  The  head  of 
the  column,  Elliot's  brigade,  having  reached  Carter's  house — about  four  miles 
out  on  the  Martinsburg  pike  was  met  by  part  of  Johnson's  division,  who  imme 
diately  opened  fire  from  his  batteries  and  infantry.  Here  Elliot's  brigade  passed 
and  continued  on.  Ely  at  once  formed  his  brigade  in  line  and  charged  the  guns, 
which  Walker's  brigade  and  Johnson's  division  were  supporting,  and  who  drove 
us  back,  but  only  to  form  for  a  second  charge,  which  was  a  bloody  one — the  men 
fighting  with  desperation,  although  our  line  was  fast  melting  away. 

"  It  was  now  getting  towards  daylight,  and  the  5th  Maryland,  i8th  Conn.,  and 
a  part  of  the^Syth  Penn.,  finding  themselves  cut  off,  surrendered;  also,  an  Ohio 
regiment  just  across  from  us  in  the  woods.  These  regiments  had  been  the  nu 
cleus  of  the  battle  while  the  rest  were  leaving. 

"  My  recollection  of  the  last  I  saw  of  Gen.  Milroy  was  after  the  last  terrible 
charge.  He  galloped  from  the  field  with  some  others  off  to  the  left,  with  the 
most  pained  expression  on  his  face  I  ever  saw.  After  the  surrender,  we  were 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  441 


marched  back  to  Winchester,  where  I  found  my  Rebel  brother  the  major  of  the 
2d  Maryland,  who  had  been  appointed  provost  marshal  of  the  town  for  gallantry 
displayed  in  the  fight.  After  obtaining  a  pass  and  parole,  I  set  about  collecting 
our  wounded  from  the  field,  and  moving  them  to  the  Taylor  Hotel  in  town,  used 
by  us  for  a  hospital.  Among  them  was  a  lieutenant  of  the  i8th  Conn.,  whom  I 
had  seen  fall  on  the  afternoon  before,  shot  through  the  body,  and  picking  him 
up  I  left  him  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Lewis,  where  I  extracted  the  bullet.  As  I  was 
sent  off  to  Libby  Prison  in  a  few  days  I  never  saw  him  afterwards,  and  often 
wondered  if  he  ever  recovered." 

III. 

ANOTHER  ACCOUNT. 

IT  is  due  Gen.  Milroy  to  say  that  if  he,  with  his  little  army,  numbering  less 
than  7,000  men,  had  not  held  in  check  the  advance  of  Lee's  army  at  Winchester 
for  three  days,  by  which  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  gained  time,  the  battle  fought 
at  Gettysburg  would  probably  have  taken  place  nearer  Philadelphia—and,  per_ 
haps  with  different  results. 

IV. 

LETTER  FROM  CHAPLAIN  McCABE,  OF  THE  1220  OHIO. 

ON  the  evening  of  June  12,  1863,  I  stood,  with  a  company  of  singers  in  the 
streets  of  Winchester,  Virginia,  singing  a  patriotic  song  to  General  Milroy,  com 
mander  of  our  division,  who  was  standing  at  the  window  of  what  was  known  as 
the  Logan  mansion,  listening  to  our  song.  A  scout  galloped  up  and  announced 
to  the  general  that  the  enemy  was  approaching  in  great  force.  General  Milroy 
sent  for  his  cavalry,  and  went  in  person  to  reconnoiter,  and  struck  the  advance 
guard  of  Lee's  army  a  few  miles  south  of  Winchester.  Considerable  skirmish 
ing  ensued,  and  Milroy  withdrew  for  the  night  to  his  defenses.  He  might  have 
retreated  then,  but  he  chose  to  stop  and  fight,  and  impede  Lee's  march  all  he 
could.  He  succeeded  in  holding  his  position  during  the  thirteenth  and  four 
teenth  of  June,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  fifteenth,  at  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  he 
made  an  effort  to  cut  his  way  out  to  Harper's  Ferry.  Four  miles  from  Win 
chester  the  road  was  blocked  by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy.  A  terrible  battle 
ensued,  which  resulted  in  great  loss  of  our  forceps  in  killed,  wounded  and  pris 
oners. 

The  chaplains  and  surgeons  and  captured  officers,  among  them  Col.  Wm.  G. 
Ely  and  Lieut-Col.  Nichols,  of  the  i8th  Conn.,  were  marched  to  Libby  Prison, 
and  confined  there  for  months.  It  was  the  most  exciting  time  of  the  war.  Tid 
ings  of  constant  victories  for  our  arms  filled  our  hearts  with  exultation  for  many 

56 


442  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT 


days.  We  heard  first  of  Gettysburg,  then  of  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson  ;  and 
patriotic  songs,  sung  by  500  voices,  announced  to  Richmond  that  the  Yankee 
prisoners  had  heard  the  glorious  news.  Milroy  has  often  been  blamed  for  re 
maining  at  Winchester  so  long.  But,  although  his  action  resulted  in  disaster  to 
his  gallant  little  army,  the  outcome  was  a  great  blessing  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  for  the  Winchester  fight  occasioned  three  days  of  delay  to  General 
Lee  in  getting  his  advance  into  Pennsylvania. 

His  plans  were  disconcerted  ;  he  had  to  call  another  council  of  war,  and  make 
new  plans  for  his  campaign.  Meantime  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  reached  Penn 
sylvania  and  secured  the  strong  position  at  Gettysburg,  the  strength  of  which 
was  needed  in  the  mighty  conflict  which  was  impending.  If  it  had  not  been  for 
Milroy's  defense  at  Winchester,  Lee  would  have  been  in  Pennsylvania  June  13, 
instead  of  16,  and  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  would  have  been  compelled  to  fight 
the  enemy  in  an  inferior  position,  and  without  rest,  after  a  forced  march.  And 
1  verily  believe  the  Union  army  would  have  been  defeated  under  such  circum 
stances.  Milroy  stubbornly  refused  to  retire  without  a  fight,  although  strongly 
advised  to  do  so  by  many  of  his  best  officers.  The  authorities  at  Washington 
supposed  he  would  retire  in  presence  of  such  overwhelming  odds ;  and  he  was 
tried  before  a  military  court  in  Washington  after  the  campaign  was  over  for  his 
action  at  Winchester ;  but  when  the  facts  above  mentioned  were  brought  out, 
the  prosecution  was  summarily  stopped,  and  a  gallant  officer  restored  to  the 
army. 

As  to  our  life  in  Libby  Prison,  we  tried  to  make  it  as  cheerful  as  possible.  We 
could  not  be  depressed,  even  with  empty  larder  and  scanty  wardrobe,  in  a  prison 
reeking  with  filth  and  vermin,  when  the  news  of  so  many  glorious  victories  an 
nounced  to  us  that  whatever  should  become  of  the  inmates  of  Libby  Prison, 
government  for  the  people  and  by  the  people  was  not  to  perish  from  the  earth. 
Col.  Ely  was  my  intimate  friend,  as  were  Lieut. -Col.  Nichols  and  Dr.  Holbrook. 
They  were  members  of  our  literary  circle,  and  perhaps  Col.  Ely  will  remember 
that  his  efforts  to  get  me  to  pronounce  the  French  u  were  not  very  successful. 
With  such  men  it  was  easy  to  become  absorbed  in  hard  study  and  inspiring  con 
versation  until  it  may  be  said  that  in  Libby  Prison  we  had  a  "  feast  of  reason 
and  a  flow  of  soul."  The  songs  we  sang,  and  the  stories  we  told,  will  live  in  our 
memories  forever. 

Yours,  faithfully,  C.  C.  McCabe. 


CONNECTICUT  VOLUNTEERS.  443 


v. 

A  LOTTERY,  AND  LIFE  AS  A  PRISONER. 

WHILE  at  Libby  Prison,  I  had  a  part  in  the  lottery  in  which  Captains 
Sawyer  and  Flynn  drew  tickets  for  "  immediate  execution."  They  were  plunged 
into  the-  dungeon,  but  never  executed,  for  reasons  well  known.  We  were 
in  Libby  Prison,  on  the  hard  floor,  barely  subsisting  on  short  rations,  till  May  7, 
1864,  when  we  were  sent  to  Macon,  Ga.,  arriving  there  July  30.  While  at  Macon, 
firing  was  heard,  and  on  the  evening  of  August  i  Gen.  Stoneman  and  his 
officers  were  brought  in  prisoners.  I  am  bareheaded  and  barefooted,  and 
sick  beneath  a  burning  sun.  Aug.  ii,  1864,  a  squad  of  300  officers  were  start 
ed  for  Charleston,  S.  C.  Here  I  parted  from  Lieuts.  Lindsay  and  Higgins, 
leaving  them  at  Macon.  On  arriving  at  Charleston  we  were  confined  in  the 
county  jail,  under  fire  of  Federal  guns — the  batteries  on  Morris  Island  pouring  a 
torrent  of  shells  into  the  city.  The  rations  were  better  here  than  in  Richmond 
or  Macon,  but  the  prisoners  being  extremely  filthy,  yellow  fever  broke  out,  which 
was  given  as  a  reason  for  moving.  On  Oct.  5,  1864,  we  were  jammed  into  box 
cars  and  started  for  Columbia,  S.  C.,  a  distance  of  137  miles  from  Charleston, 
arriving  there  Oct.  6.  That  night  we  camped  out  in  a  drenching  rain,  without 
shelter,  and  many  without  blankets.  The  cold  tells  on  men  unused  to  such  ex 
posure.  I  tried  to  keep  awake  all  night,  but  exhausted  nature  could  not  be 
prevailed  on,  so  I  wrapped  myself  in  my  wet  blanket  to  lie  down  on  the  wet 
ground  and  sleep  in  the  rain  till  morning.  Oct.  7  we  were  marched  out  to  camp 
— two  miles  from  the  city.  Here  I  met  Lieut.  Lindsay,  and  others.  It  seems 
more  social  than  to  mess  alone,  as  I  did  at  Charleston.  While  here  I  saw  a  Fed 
eral  prisoner  shot  do\vn  several  yards  from  the  dead  line,  and  knew  that  his 
murderer  was  rewarded  by  a  furlough.  Such  was  Southern  chivalry  at  this  time. 
The  last  of  October,  1864,  I,  with  others,  escaped  from  Columbia,  intending  to 
reach  Federal  lines,  but  was  apprehended  in  Edgefield  District,  S.  C.,  by  one 
Chamberlain,  and  after  a  fight  with  dogs  which  had  been  set  on  our  trail,  a  mus 
ket  was  pointed  at  my  head  after  several  blows  had  been  struck,  inflicting  severe 
bruises,  and  with  loud  threats  about  blowing  Yankee  brains  out  the  scene  closed. 
We  were  then  remanded  to  prison  in  Columbia,  arriving  there  Nov.  10,  1864. 
In  February,  1865,  we  were  sent  to  Charleston  for  exchange.  At  this  time  I  was 
sick,  and  feared  I  should  be  left  behind,  but  arrived  in  Annapolis  soon  after 
wards,  having  passed  through  Federal  lines  March  i,  1865. 

Capt.  H.  C.  Davis. 


444  EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT,   C.    V. 


VI. 

SPKKCH  OF  "  DADDY  MILUOY"  AT 

SOLDIERS  OF  THE  EIGHTEENTH  : 

I  am  glad  to  see  you  once  more  :  I  am  happy  to  see  you  looking  so  hearty 
and  well :  happy  to  welcome  you  back  again  beneath  the  folds  of  your  own  stars 
and  stripes,  which  you  so  nobly  defended  at  the  three  days'  fight  at  Winchester. 
Since  I  last  saw  you,  you  have  suffered  captivity  in  Rebel  prisons.  We  have 
been  separated  since  then  ;  but  I  have  come  to  see  you,  and  to  praise  you  for 
your  gallantry.  I  saw  you  in  the  second  days'  fight  as  you  charged  the  enemy 
from  your  rifle-pits  and  drove  them  back  upon  their  reserves,  holding  them  in 
check  until  night  ;  when  you  fell  back,  but  with  your  face  to  the  foe.  Again  I 
saw  you  the  next  morning,  facing  as  hot  a  fire  as  I  ever  witnessed.  I  looked  in 
vain  to  see  you  waver.  Boys,  it  was  a  hot  place, — a  hot  place.  I  saw  you  go 
where  none  but  brave  men  dare  to  go ;  saw  you  make  three  successful  charges, 
preserving  your  line  as  well  as  if  on  dress-parade.  I  witnessed  it  all.  I  saw 
you  as  you  broke  the  first  line  of  Rebel  infantry,  and  charged  up  to  their  batter 
ies  ;  driving  away  their  gunners,  still  pressing  on,  and  breaking  their  reserves. 
But  a  third  line  was  too  strong  for  you.  I  knew  it  was.  Only  then  did  you  fall 
back,  when  your  lines  were  broken,  and  many  brave  Connecticut  men  lay  bleed 
ing  on  the  field.  But  you  only  fell  back  to  reform,  and  give  them  another  taste 
of  your  steel.  I  knew  it  was  madness  to  order  you  forward  again  ;  it  was  order 
ing  you  to  death  and  annihilation  ;  for  I  well  knew  you  would  attempt  anything 
for  your  general.  Boys,  I  watched  you  with  pride  as  you  charged  the  third  time ; 
but  when  I  saw  your  ranks  withering,  and  your  comrades  falling,  it  made  my 
heart  grow  sad  within  me,  and  I  ordered  you  to  fall  back.  You  know  the  rest. 
You  were  surrounded,  and  there  was  no  escape.  But  I  miss  your  noble  com 
mander,  Col.  Ely  ;  may  he  soon  return  to  you  !  Boys,  4o  your  valor  I  owe  my 
safety.  You  come  from  a  State  whose  soldiers  never  disgrace  themselves  nor 
their  flag.  I  am  proud  of  you,  and  ever  shall  be  of  such  soldiers. 

And  now  accept  my  wishes  for  your  safe  return  to  your  New  England  homes, 
when  our  flag  shall  wave  in  triumph  over  our  whole  coun  ry.     Good-by. 


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